The purpose of this thesis was to explore what kind of experiences of empowerment the clients of Skillful women -project gained during the project. Monika – Multicultural Women’s Associations Skillful women -project’s aim is to find work for long-term unemployed immigrant women in the metropolitan area. Cooperation between us and the project began from our initiative. This thesis produces information about client experiences of empowerment for the project and for other quarters who work with similar client groups.

The approach of the study was qualitative. We used theme interviews to explore the client experiences. Five clients participated in the interviews. Three of them had found job placements via the project. The theoretical framework of the study was empowerment and as the main reference we use Lauren Bennett Cattaneo’s and Aliya R. Chapman’s model of the process of empowerment.

The interviewees were able to set themselves goals promoting their employment. Some of the interviewees experienced increase in their knowledge during their participation in the project. They for example gained new information about job seeking practices such as job interviews and writing job applications. The interviewees also considered their own activity important in the promotion of their employment situation. All the interviewees had participated in the support measures offered by the project, such as job interviews or writing personal resumes. The interviewees’ initiative was also shown as independent job seeking and studying the Finnish language.

According to the results all the interviewees gained different levels of experiences of empowerment during the project. Job placements and the social support provided by the project were the most essential factors supporting the project clients’ empowerment. As an operating environment the project is encouraging and it supports the clients’ motivation, which can be seen to advance their empowerment.