Come home - come to Sievi!

Sievi

Welcome to Sievi! Sievi is a small municipality of about 5,000 residents with plenty of companies and jobs in the technology sector. The main language spoken in Sievi is Finnish, but many Finns also know how to speak English and Swedish, which are taught to everyone as part of the mandatory basic education.

Getting around in Sievi

The distances in Sievi can be long and the public transport is sparse but punctual. Bus lines provide access to the neighbouring municipalities of Ylivieska and Nivala for more services. The bus stops are in the town centre in front of the Ravintola Ronai restaurant. The timetables are available at https://opas.matka.fi. Cars and bicycles are the most popular modes of transport in Sievi. Driving in Finland is strictly regulated: drivers must have a valid driving licence, the vehicle must have passed inspection and motor vehicle insurance is mandatory. In winter, cars must be equipped with winter tyres but they are not permitted in summer. Cars must drive on the right side of the road.

Working in Sievi

Sievi is the second-most industrialised municipality in Finland. There are many large industrial employers in Sievi. Alongside the industrial sector, Sievi provides jobs in health care, agriculture and services for children and young people. The commutes to neighbouring municipalities for work are also short. Vacancies are listed at www.tyomarkkinatori.fi

Education and early childhood education

Sievi’s early childhood education services are provided under the municipal education services unit. Pursuant to the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care, early childhood education is organised by municipal day care centres, group family day care providers and family day care providers. The Linnunlaulu day care centre has a 24-hour child care group. The cooperation between guardians and early educators adheres to the principles of educational partnership and is based on mutual trust, interaction, respect and positivity. It is important for guardians and educators to talk and keep each other up to date on a daily basis. This also enables sharing cultural knowledge and information both ways. If necessary, interpretation services, notifications translated to family’s native language or images can be used in the collaboration with guardians.

Every immigrant child and young person has the right to attend school. In Sievi, education to children and young people with an immigrant background is provided at the school centre (Kirkonkylän koulukeskus), which hosts the activities of Lauri Haikola School (grades 1–6) and Jussipekka School (grades 7–9). Where necessary, 24–26 hours a week of instruction preparing for basic education is arranged for 6–16-year old youngsters who arrive in Sievi. In Sievi, Lauri Haikola School has the preparatory instruction class (Valo). The instruction preparing for basic education usually lasts a year. The aim of the instruction is to help the pupils integrate and provide them with the necessary capabilities to make the transition to basic education. Once they have gained these capabilities, they switch to basic education. The aim is for the pupils to be able to study all basic education subjects comprehensively and continue their studies after the basic education.

Leisure in Sievi

People who enjoy spending time in nature will love Sievi. There are plenty of nature trails of varying lengths within the municipality. In winter, some of them are converted to ski trails. In the Jussinmäki sports area, you can engage in a wide variety of sports. Numerous organisations operate in Sievi, offering recreational opportunities for people of all ages. The adult education centre for the Ylivieska region provides a range of study modules in Sievi. https://www.ylivieska.fi/kasvatus-ja-opetus/ylivieskan-seudun-kansalaisopisto/

At the library, you can get a library card that will enable you to borrow books, magazines, films and recreational equipment for free. You can also request the library to order materials in your own language! The Sievi museum, which provides the chance to learn about Finnish history, is open in summer. Taidelaari is a free and open-to-all space in the library’s downstairs area, which features changing exhibitions.

Finland provides all people with what are called Everyman’s Rights, which enable anyone to enjoy and roam freely in nature, regardless of who owns or holds the area. As such, within the limits of what the Everyman’s Rights permit, exercising these rights does not require a land owner’s permission and is entirely free of charge. Exercising the Everyman’s Rights must not cause more than minor harm to the land owner, land use or nature.

Services in Sievi

Sievi has two grocery shops, S-Market and K-Market Mutti. In Finland, groceries are slightly more expensive than elsewhere in Europe, but it is a good idea to compare the prices of different brands – the differences can be substantial. A pharmacy that sells self-care products, over-the-counter medication and prescription medication is located next to K-Market Mutti. Sievi also has a POP Bank office with a cash machine you can use to withdraw cash from your account. The official currency of Finland is the euro (€). The withdrawal fee will depend on your bank and account agreements.

The Sievi town hall features a service point that provides free access to a computer and the Internet. You can also ask for assistance at the help desk and print documents. Printing KELA documents is free of charge. The library also has public computers that are free to use.

Integration coordinator

The municipality has an integration coordinator who you can contact with any questions. You can set up an appointment so that the coordinator can reserve a remote interpreter in advance to ensure smooth service access. The integration coordinator can provide advice and assistance in matters related to housing, day-to-day living and integration services. The coordinator can also help find an early childhood education place for your children or register your child for school.

The integration coordinator can be reached Mon–Thu 8 am–3 pm at +358 (0)44 4883 487 or anu.stenroth [at] sievi.fi

If you fall ill

Sievi belongs to the Wellbeing Services County of North Ostrobothnia, which provides the social and health care services in the area. Sievi has its own well-being centre and dental clinic, which require booking an appointment in advance. The emergency number in Finland 112. Only dial it if you require immediate assistance in situations that endanger a person’s health or life.