The SMErec project aims at successful recruitments. The project is implemented in collaboration between the Joensuu and Turku regions. For companies, SMErec offers new tools for recruitment; for students, assistance in moving from university of applied sciences education to working life. 

The SMErec project intensifies the collaboration between universities of applied sciences, SMEs and micro enterprises. The aim is that the tools created within the project will help companies quickly and successfully recruit competent workforce to fill their open positions, finding employees who match the job description. The costs of failed recruitment for the company are high. From the students’ point of view, the aim is to create tools that help highlight the students’ competence and make the transition from studies to working life easier.

Karelia University of Applied Sciences will create a model to be applied in recruitment situations that is suitable for graduating students and companies. Small and middle-sized enterprises are offered training to develop their recruitment skills and human resource management in the recruitment processes as well as to improve their corporate image and attraction in the eyes of job-seekers.

The role of Turku University of Applied Sciences is to develop an online competence platform for students where a database-based virtual CV system is created. In this system, every student has their own one-minute video introduction, a CV and an up-to-date competence map.

Joensuun Seudun Kehittämisyhtiö JOSEK Oy contributes to the project by developing a digital tool for micro enterprises that will act as a channel for guidance and information sharing at the stage where the entrepreneur becomes an employer when they hire their first employee. The SMErec project also involves international cooperation with Central European developers of recruitment tools and processes. This facilitates gathering more extensive information of best practices and good ideas in different countries and spreading them over national borders.