In Helsinki, 10 percent of young people and 8.2 percent of the whole population speak a language other than Finnish or Swedish as their mother tongue. The metropolitan area likes to present itself as an international, innovative and multicultural trail blazer for the rest of Finland.  My presentation focuses on challenges of the first generation migrants when they take their places in the society and work. I will also talk about the challenges of the second generation, that is, children and adolescents who develop their agencies in multiethnic and multicultural settings, and whose voices are not listened to, at least not in the public debate that is on-going in Finland. I draw on two empirical studies. First, I present an intervention study called the Culture Laboratory that was developed in the framework of developmental work research in Finland. It explores and demonstrates the dynamic movements of intercultural encountering, and how this situation can enrich learning and development. Second, I examine an ongoing research focusing on children of immigrants in transition phases of their educational paths. Transition phases are crucial in-between spaces when young people leave primary schools and enter secondary schools. These transitions can be smooth and easy or they can be divergent and breaking. With these two studies I reflect on tensions and opportunities of today in working life and in vocational education and training. Schools do not only transfer the skills and knowledge needed in the community but also the prevailing practices and cultural values and symbols of dominant groups.