Saranen Consulting
Saranen Consulting is a Finnish recruitment training and career services firm that combines vocational training with on-the-job learning to place job seekers into roles with partner employers across Finland. It serves enterprises seeking pre-screened tech talent and individuals pursuing career transitions through specialized academies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersEspoo, Finland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Saranen Consulting does
Saranen Consulting is a Finnish private professional services firm headquartered in Espoo that delivers recruitment training programs (rekrytoiva koulutusohjelma) combining vocational instruction with on-the-job learning to transition job seekers into new roles while giving employers access to pre-screened talent. The firm operates a catalog of specialized academies - Microsoft Akatemia, Salesforce Academy, Code Academy, Pilvipalvelut (Cloud Services), Ohjelmistokehitys ja tietoturva (Software Development and Cybersecurity), Tekoäly/Data/Analytiikka (AI/Data/Analytics), Hallinnolliset roolit, Markkinointi/Verkkokauppa/Myynti, and Teollisuuden automaatio - each running cohorts of 75-100 days of work-based learning plus 15-25 days of specialized subject training over 4-6 month program durations. Underlying delivery relies on hybrid in-person/remote training across 9 Finnish regional offices, vendor partner content from Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, SAP, and integrations with Finland's TE-Services public employment referral system.
The business model is fee-based professional services with public co-funding. Enterprises pay 6,200-9,300 EUR + VAT per participant (with customized pricing for 10+ hire cohorts) and local employment sectors fund 30-70% of program costs; no recruitment fee is charged and there is no salary obligation during the training period. Direct enterprise sales is handled through client success and partnership managers, while job-seeker acquisition flows through TE-Services referrals, online application portals (sc.rekrytointi.com), and content marketing. Reported scale metrics include 2,400+ job seekers served annually, 45 training programs annually, 330+ recruiting companies annually, and a placement rate exceeding 80%, alongside customer logos spanning SAP Finland, Microsoft, Salesforce, Google, Accenture, KPMG, Atea, Remedy, Housemarque, Housemarque, Colossal Order, Digia, Innofactor, Visma, Etteplan, Admicom, If, Electrolux, Nordcloud/IBM, Admicom, and others.
Following a June 2025 merger with Talentgate and the December 2025 acquisition of Nextmile, Saranen broadened its portfolio into experienced-workforce coaching, change management, and outplacement services. The combined entity remains privately held with no disclosed external funding, no public listing, and a headcount of 11-50 employees, operating exclusively within Finland's domestic labor market.
Saranen Consulting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Saranen Consulting
- Legal name
- Saranen Consulting
- Website
- https://saranen.fi
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Saranen Consulting is a Finnish recruitment training and career services firm that combines vocational training with on-the-job learning to place job seekers into roles with partner employers across Finland. It serves enterprises seeking pre-screened tech talent and individuals pursuing career transitions through specialized academies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Saranen Consulting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Recruitment Training Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (611420), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA), IT Support & End-User Computing (Helpdesk, Desktop, M365/Google Workspace) (EDABAFAN), IT, Systems & Tools Onboarding (Access, Apps, Security Basics) (EDABAOAE), Mentorship & Coaching (Career, Academic, Industry-Specific) (EDAMAKAA)
Keywords
Where Saranen Consulting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Espoo
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
Saranen Consulting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Recruitment Training Programs: Companies pay for recruitment training programs where participants work under training contracts. Local employment sectors typically fund 30-70% of costs. No recruitment fee is charged, and there is no salary obligation during the program period.
- Career Coaching and Outplacement Services: Services for individuals in career transitions including career coaching and change management support
- Customized Training Solutions: Tailored corporate training programs for organizations with specific talent development needs, particularly for companies hiring 10+ employees
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Standard Recruitment Training Program (per participant) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Customized Enterprise Programs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Saranen Consulting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Saranen's core offering is the "Rekrytoiva koulutusohjelma" — vocational training combined with 75-100 days of paid on-the-job learning at partner companies — that helps job seekers transition into new careers (typically in IT, software, cloud, AI, cybersecurity, industrial automation, and digital marketing) while giving employers pre-screened candidates without recruitment fees or salary obligations during the program. The portfolio is delivered through specialized academies (Microsoft Akatemia, Salesforce Academy, Code Academy) and is priced at €6,200-€9,300 + VAT per participant.
Product overview
Saranen Consulting operates as a recruitment and training services company offering 'Rekrytoiva koulutusohjelma' (Recruiting Training Programs) as its core offering. This is a platform-plus-programs model where job seekers receive combined vocational training and on-the-job learning while partner companies pre-screen potential employees. The portfolio includes specialized academies: Microsoft Akatemia (Microsoft technology training), Salesforce Academy (CRM and Agentforce AI training), Code Academy (software development), and sector-specific programs covering cloud services, cybersecurity, data analytics, and industrial automation. Historical programs like GamePro (gaming), AnalyticsPro (business intelligence), and HealthTech Academy have also been delivered. The company expanded its services through the 2025 acquisition of Nextmile (career coaching for experienced employees) and merger with Talentgate. Programs are priced at 6,200–9,300 EUR + VAT per participant with 4–6 month duration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Microsoft Akatemia: Recruitment training program in partnership with Microsoft for Microsoft technologies and solutions
- Salesforce Academy
- Nextmile
- RekryKoulutus
- Code Academy
- GamePro
- AnalyticsPro
- HealthTech Academy
- CyberTalent
Products and services
- Rekrytoiva koulutusohjelma (Recruiting Training Program) Core Saranen program that combines vocational training with paid on-the-job learning at partner companies. Job seekers transition to new careers (typically IT, software, cloud, AI, cybersecurity, marketing) while employers evaluate pre-screened candidates without recruitment fees or salary obligations during the program. Programs run 4-6 months and are priced at €6,200-€9,300 + VAT per participant, with local employment sectors co-funding 30-70% of costs.
- Microsoft Akatemia (Microsoft Academy) Specialized recruiting-training program covering Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Azure, and Microsoft Fabric, delivered in partnership with Microsoft and its partner network; 99+ Microsoft professionals recruited 2015-2025.
- Salesforce Academy Dedicated recruiting-training program for Salesforce skills, covering CRM, automation, and Agentforce AI solutions; over 100 Salesforce professionals recruited since 2016.
- Pilvipalvelut (Cloud Services) Training Program Recruiting-training program covering Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and DevOps practices for roles such as Cloud Engineer, DevOps Specialist, and Data Engineer.
- Ohjelmistokehitys ja tietoturva (Software Development & Cybersecurity) Training Program Recruiting-training program covering front-end and back-end development, AI-assisted programming, software testing, and cybersecurity topics including CRA, NIS2, and CER regulations.
- Code Academy Recruiting-training program for software development careers covering Java, C#, JavaScript, Python, SQL, front-end, full stack, UI/UX development, testing, and DevOps.
- Tekoäly, data ja analytiikka (AI, Data & Analytics) Training Program Recruiting-training program covering databases (SQL), data visualization (Power BI, Tableau), data-driven management, and AI applications in business contexts.
- Räätälöitävät ratkaisut (Customized Recruitment Solutions) Tailored corporate recruitment training programs for organizations with specific talent-development needs, particularly for companies hiring 10+ employees across multiple Finnish locations.
- Nextmile — Experienced Workforce Coaching Career coaching and leadership services for experienced employees and employers, delivered through professional unions; acquired from Nextmile in December 2025 to expand Saranen's services for senior workers.
- Muutosturva ja outplacement (Change Security and Outplacement) Outplacement, change-management training, and career-coaching services for organizations undergoing restructuring and for affected employees, including a dedicated program for 55+ workers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 80% of participants recruited to new roles after program completion
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Saranen Consulting
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Saranen Consulting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Saranen Consulting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TalentgatecoreSaranen and Talentgate merged effective June 1, 2025, combining Saranen's recruitment training expertise with Talentgate's labor market-oriented training solutions.
- NextmilecoreSaranen acquired Nextmile's business in December 2025 to expand services for experienced workers and employers. Nextmile provides coaching services for experienced employees and employers through professional associations.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft is a key technology partner providing training content for Microsoft Akatemia program. Over 99 Microsoft professionals recruited 2015-2025. Training covers Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, Azure, and Microsoft Fabric. Microsoft and partners train candidates to become certified specialists.
- GooglecoreGoogle provides cloud and digital marketing training content. Candidates receive training on Google Cloud Platform, Google Analytics, and digital marketing tools. Programs include Google Cloud Data Analytics and Cloud Engineer certifications.
- SalesforcecoreSalesforce Academy has trained 100+ Salesforce professionals since 2016. Program focuses on Agentforce solutions and data utilization. Salesforce provides training content and certifications for CRM, development, and administration roles.
- SAPcoreSAP Finland has partnered with Saranen for multiple years. Partner companies have recruited 70+ SAP professionals through F.E.C and recruitment training programs. Training covers SAP implementation and consulting roles.
- Local Employment Sectors (Työllisyysalueet)corePrograms are implemented in collaboration with local employment sectors across Finland. Employment sectors fund 30-70% of training costs and provide regulatory framework for training contracts.
- Technology Industry Associations (Neogames, Software Finland, Healthtech Finland)minorPartnerships with industry associations to develop specialized training programs for gaming, software, and health technology sectors. Associations help identify industry needs and promote programs to member companies.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Saranen Consulting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Per Scholas: US-based nonprofit that delivers tuition-free IT training with direct employer hiring pipelines, the closest international analog to Saranen's 'train-then-place' recruitment training model.
- Generation: Global employment-focused nonprofit that combines short-format training with employer placement in tech and digital roles, structurally aligned with Saranen's mission of funded training into hiring.
- Hive Helsinki (Helsinki Education Society): Project-based software development school in Helsinki with employer hiring outcomes, an emerging alternative pathway for entry-level tech talent that competes with Saranen's Code Academy.
Direct peers
- Taitotalo: Finnish vocational education and training provider that runs workforce training programs with employer co-funding, mirroring Saranen's recruitment training model and target customer base in Finland.
- Bravedo: Finnish IT consulting and training firm that combines talent development with enterprise IT services, comparable to Saranen's Microsoft/Salesforce-aligned academies and IT reskilling focus.
- Amiedu (Helsinki Region Adult Education Centre): Adult education and vocational training organization operating in the Helsinki metropolitan area, delivering employer-aligned training programs with co-funding, comparable to Saranen's regional delivery approach.
Broad incumbents
- Academic Work: Nordic staffing and career-matching firm with Finnish operations, addressing similar enterprise talent-acquisition pain points as Saranen but without the integrated training-led recruitment model.
- Ework Group: Nordic-based IT and engineering consulting and staffing provider, competing for the same enterprise IT talent pool that Saranen serves through its Microsoft, Salesforce, and cloud academies.
- Barona: One of Finland's largest staffing and recruitment groups, offering a much broader portfolio of workforce solutions across industries, overlapping with Saranen's enterprise recruitment offering but at greater scale.
Regional players
- Turun AKK (Turku Adult Education Centre): Regional adult education provider in Southwest Finland offering employer-aligned vocational training, comparable to Saranen's regional operating model but focused on the Turku region.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Saranen Consulting social profiles
Digital presenceSaranen Consulting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Saranen Consulting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Saranen Consulting subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Saranen Consulting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Saranen Consulting M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Saranen Consulting
What does Saranen Consulting do?
Saranen's core offering is the "Rekrytoiva koulutusohjelma" — vocational training combined with 75-100 days of paid on-the-job learning at partner companies — that helps job seekers transition into new careers (typically in IT, software, cloud, AI, cybersecurity, industrial automation, and digital marketing) while giving employers pre-screened candidates without recruitment fees or salary obligations during the program. The portfolio is delivered through specialized academies (Microsoft Akatemia, Salesforce Academy, Code Academy) and is priced at €6,200-€9,300 + VAT per participant.
Is Saranen Consulting a public or private company?
Saranen Consulting is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Saranen Consulting founded?
Saranen Consulting was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Saranen Consulting based?
Saranen Consulting is headquartered in Espoo, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Saranen Consulting make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Recruitment Training Programs are the primary driver. The others are career Coaching and Outplacement Services and customized Training Solutions.
Who are Saranen Consulting's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Per Scholas, Generation and Hive Helsinki (Helsinki Education Society). Direct peers are Taitotalo, Bravedo and Amiedu (Helsinki Region Adult Education Centre). Broad incumbents are Academic Work, Ework Group and Barona. Turun AKK (Turku Adult Education Centre) is listed as a regional player.
Does Saranen Consulting have an API?
No public API is recorded for Saranen Consulting.
What industry is Saranen Consulting in?
Saranen Consulting's product category is Recruitment Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAB, Technical & Digital Skills Training, with a secondary code of BPAEANAA, Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.). Its NAICS code is 61143 and its SIC code is 7361.