Would you like to become a Red Cross trainer?

The Red Cross offers its members and volunteers interested in its activities a wide range of training courses that prepare them for volunteer work supporting immigrants and refugees. The training selection aims to accommodate volunteers active in various tasks and roles.

Why and for what purpose does the Red Cross need volunteer trainers?

Are you interested in promoting humanity and a spirit of helping others? Do you want to contribute to people knowing how to help one another? To making everyday life safer? If your answer is yes – come and become a trainer at the Red Cross, one of the largest training organisations in the country. We will train you to deliver basic training for both our volunteers and other members of the public. Here you will find basic information about the role and duties of a trainer at the Finnish Red Cross.

At the Finnish Red Cross, volunteer trainers organise basic training for the organisation's own volunteers as well as for external parties. Trainers are individuals selected by the district or branch who are suited for training duties. Trainers receive preparatory training for their role, which emphasises not only the subject matter expertise of each field of activity, but also familiarity with the organisation's values and operating principles, as well as the development of personal training skills. The role of a trainer requires an interest in working with people, good interpersonal skills, the ability to learn and guide learning, and the ability to motivate and inspire. In addition, a minimum age of 18 is required, as well as completion of the basic course in one's own field of activity – in this case, the Supporting integration training.

How to apply to become a trainer?

To apply for trainer training, contact your regional district office. Together with the district office's training or programme coordinator, you will agree on a training path and specify your future duties. The trainer training consists of remote and in-person sessions as well as a teaching demonstration (= a supervised teaching practice). The components of the trainer training are held at the same times each year.

Training courses in migration work

The migration work content module (formerly the multiculturalism content module) of the trainer training is a specialisation course for Red Cross volunteer trainers. The training emphasises subject matter expertise specific to each training track and the development of training skills. Trainers who have completed the migration work content module of the trainer training can deliver training courses in migration work, such as:

• Supporting integration. The training covers topics such as the refugee experience, integration, and racism, and introduces volunteer activities that support integration. The training provides the skills needed to participate in volunteer activities supporting integration. Duration: 3 hours.
• Undocumented migrants and the Red Cross. The core aim of the training is to strengthen the Red Cross's capacity to work with undocumented migrants and to increase participants' foundational knowledge on undocumented status. Duration: 3 hours.
• Diversity in volunteer work. The training covers equality, norms, interpersonal situations, and accessibility. Intended for all Red Cross volunteers. Duration: 2 hours.

Would you like to become a Red Cross trainer?

Individuals selected by a branch or district who are suited for training duties can apply for the trainer training. Trainers are required to be familiar with the operating principles and societal role of the Red Cross. A study plan is completed together with the district office's training or programme coordinator as part of the application process.

The migration work content module of the trainer training will next be held in Helsinki in autumn 2025. For more information, please contact your regional district office.

All upcoming training courses can be found on the OMA Punainen Risti website.