Ethical Guidelines for International Cooperation in Student Recruitment at STEP Education

This guideline is based on the ethical principles of the Finnish National Agency for Education, to which we are committed.

Partners

We only cooperate with partners whose operations and ethical principles we know, and who are committed to complying with Finnish laws.

Operating Principles

• Customer orientation: We respond to the real needs of student-customers.
• Openness, transparency, and accurate information are the foundation of our operations; for example, we provide a clear picture of the local labor market to the customer.
• Our business is sustainable, ethical, and based on trust.
• We require our partners to maintain reasonable costs for our students.

Human Rights

We do not accept human trafficking, forced labor, or activities that degrade human dignity. We respect internationally recognized human rights in our operations and promote their realization. Our vision for 2025–2029 is “For People – For the Common Good.”

Anti-Corruption

We do not cooperate if we suspect corruption. We require honest conduct from our partners.

Contracts

We always make a written cooperation agreement, which specifies, among other things, the fees charged by the partner to the customer, termination conditions, marketing guidelines, and permission to use our brand.

Supporting Students

We invest in creating a positive study environment, guide students in study-related questions, and our education includes the necessary knowledge to acquire professional skills. We systematically develop our operations. We plan Finnish language support for vocational studies to strengthen student success.

Data Protection

We take care of data protection and instruct partners when necessary.

Rights and Responsibilities

Students have the right to receive precise information about their rights and responsibilities. We do not accept underage clients who have arrived in the country alone.

Learning Materials

We grant the right to use learning materials for the duration of studies or study modules.

Supporting Employers

We organize workplace instructor training and provide guides for language- and culture-aware guidance.

Recruitment

Student recruitment is based on regional labor needs and cooperation with working life.

Customer Satisfaction

Satisfied customers are the core of our operations. Students have the opportunity to give feedback about partners, and we take this into account in our future actions.

Contact

Veka Ohtamaa, veka.ohtamaa@step.fi