KAMK Contributing to a More Family-Friendly Working Life – First Family Mentors Graduate
Family mentors support new employees and their families in settling into the Kainuu region and help build a more family-friendly work culture within their own workplaces.
On Tuesday, 9 December 2025, six family mentors graduated from the family mentor training program. The program was organised for the first time this autumn and it is a part of the Work and Family in Kainuu development project, coordinated by Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK).
– Family mentoring is a concrete way to create a family-friendly working life in Kainuu. When new families receive support and guidance, they feel welcome and recognised. This is the foundation for settling in and staying. I am happy and proud that Kajaani University of Applied Sciences was able to help bring this model to life and organise the training of the first mentors, says Project Manager Elina Kiviaho from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.
Family mentoring within work communities is a model that supports the development of a family-friendly working life and the practical and communal integration of new employees and their families into Kainuu. In addition, family mentoring fosters a more open and inclusive workplace culture and strengthens the reputation of employers who value their employees through their family lives as well.
A Diverse Group of First Family Mentors
Participants in the family mentor training came from various fields and organisations. One of the organisations involved was the municipality of Hyrynsalmi.
– I joined the family mentor training because I moved from Tampere to Hyrynsalmi a few years ago. At that time, having a family mentor would have made settling in much easier. Now it’s great to be able to help others in the same situation, says newly graduated family mentor Emilia Lehtinen from the municipality of Hyrynsalmi.
The municipality of Hyrynsalmi plans to extend family mentoring to all families moving to Hyrynsalmi, not just those of new employees.
– Hyrynsalmi is a small municipality, and every newcomer is important to us. That’s why we want to offer family mentoring as part of our relocation services. We hope that it will help new residents settle in. On the other hand, family mentoring might also lower the threshold for moving to a place that is unfamiliar, reflects Administrative Manager Heini Pirttiaho from the municipality of Hyrynsalmi.
Family Mentoring is an Investment in the Future
The work of family mentors affects not only the everyday life of individual families but also the culture of entire workplaces and the atmosphere of the region. The graduation of trained family mentors is tangible proof that developing a family-friendly working life is possible.
– This model is just the first step, but we hope it will inspire other organisations and employers to consider families as part of their everyday life and culture. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is proud to help enable this new direction – promoting family-friendliness, community spirit and wellbeing in workplaces and across the region, says Director of Research and Development Mikko Keränen from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.
The Work and Family in Kainuu project aims to support companies in Kainuu in profiling themselves as family-friendly workplaces where it is possible to balance work and family life. The project is co-funded by the European Union and will run until 31 January 2026.
Further information:
Project Manager Elina Kiviaho, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, elina.kiviaho@kamk.fi, tel. +358 40 182 3308