In court and police it is very important that the parties might understand each other.
The Helsinki police notice that over half of deteriorated property crimes they investigate are perpetrated by people born outside of Finland. So they have a serious need of interpreters.
"Even actions that seem very simple could require an interpreter to ensure that both sides fully understand everything," says chief inspector Pertti Sovelius.
The National Board of Education is taking measures to train more professionals. Besides polytechnic degree-level interpreter training will be available in Turku and Helsinki in the autumn.