Three steps to working life

4H gives children and adolescents useful skills and tools for the world of work, entrepreneurship and active citizenship.

Life skills with 4H

4H clubs offer children a fun way to learn a wide range of practical skills relating to, for example, cooking, hand skills, the forest and the natural environment and internationalism. The activities are based on specific exercises based on the learning by doing model, all supporting 4H’s unique entrepreneurship education approach. In total, there are more than 1,400 exercises in the activity bank for 4H club members and their supervisors to complete.

4H clubs are supervised by trained volunteers. In 2011, there were nearly 2,000 young club leaders and 1,600 adult instructors. The same year, 4H clubs attracted more than 600,000 visits.

4H working life courses prepare for employment

4H members over the age of 13 are offered information of the basic rules of the world of work in the eight-hour "Roadmap to Working Life" courses and practical workplace skills though the four-hour working life courses. After completing these courses, the participants have an opportunity to seek jobs through 4H. In 2011, 4H organised 380 “Roadmap to Working Life” courses, attended by 6,300 young people. By the beginning of 2011, the total number of participants having attended the course was 15,000.

The job opportunities available to young people through 4H include club leadership, child and dog care, housework services, and gardening and forestry. In 2011, 4H offered employment to some 8,500 people under the age of 29.

4H entrepreneurs put their own skills to use

In 4H, 13–28-year-old members have a chance to run their own businesses with the support of a 4H company supervisor. Before setting up a company, the member acquires the required basic knowledge on the 4H entrepreneur course. The company can be set up by an individual or a group of young people. In 2011, the number of 4H companies was 212.

Towards active citizenship

At 4H, children and adolescents have the possibility to participate in various projects and events both in Finland and abroad. In Finland, forestry, wildlife and environmental education form a key part of 4H activities. Environmentally sound actions, and learning by doing and experimenting are central to 4H education.

The aim is that through 4H activities children and adolescents grow into active citizens with initiative and drive to act for the common good in both their immediate communities and in society at large.