This thesis examines supported employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. The output is a guide that is aimed at employers in the agricultural sector. The guide aims to give employers information about supported employment and to encourage them to explore the topic. This thesis has been ordered by the Luovi vocational school. Luovi offers national vocational special education in Finland, and it is also involved in the development of vocational special education and many national and international networks and projects. Luovi’s unit in Muhos educates professionals in agricultural sector. Many of them are employed, but their employability should be improved.

The main research method was to interview horse-entrepreneurs in the Oulu region who have experience in supported employment. They were all pleased with their employees, especially with their motivation, skills and capabilities. What the employers found challenging was the employees’ special support needs and the longer familiarization required, as well as understanding the challenges of disability.

Luovi’s slogan "Finland needs all hands" is getting concrete. Young people want to train and advance in their careers. “Basic workers” are starting to be in short supply in many areas, while there is an oversupply of highly educated people. Special needs people have enormous potential to fill these jobs. All of the interviewees stressed that even if the employee is a great benefit to the company, the biggest benefit, however, has been reflected in employees. The employees’ life quality has improved significantly when they have become part of the work community and especially in their preferred field. Interviewees also emphasized that their special needs employees are full members of the work community who deserve the same benefits as the other workers. The special needs employees and their contribution are appreciated, and their disability doesn’t need to be highlighted. Supported employment has developed in Finland and made good progress in recent decades. The agricultural sector has great potential to employ special groups. There are many simple and structured tasks that are suitable for people with special needs. Also, animals have been shown to have a positive impact on people’s well-being. While people are sometimes narrow-minded towards differences, the animals are not able to discriminate.

All of the interviewed employers found the guide to be a useful tool in sharing essential information to agriculture sector employers. An important part of the guide is also to share motivational stories about the supported employment workers and entrepreneurs.