Public employment services for private customers

 

With working life and the labour market undergoing changes, people need more support for finding work and developing their skills. Employment and economic development services are used by citizens and jobseekers that live in Finland and persons that would like to come to Finland for work. Public employment services include 
 

• information about vacancies, professions and trends in different professional sectors, 
• advice and coaching for finding employment and for identifying one’s own competences,  
• personal guidance in career choices and support for career planning, 
• training to update skills or to find work in a new sector, 
• support for re-entering the labour market in a new life situation, and 
• information about entrepreneurship as a career option. 
   

Employment authorities are responsible for organising employment services. You can contact the employment authority in your area directly if you have feedback and development proposals related to employment services.  
 
The Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland is responsible for overseeing the legality of employment authorities and services. More information on supervision and instructions for filing a complaint is available on the website of the Regional State Administrative Agency (link).  
 

Nordic labour market service model 

Employment services in Finland use the Nordic labour market service model, in which jobseekers apply for work on their own initiative and receive more intensive individual support for their job search at an earlier stage than before. In principle, jobseekers must apply for a certain number of jobs in order to maintain the right to unemployment benefit. The first failure or neglect to comply with the rules will not result in a loss of benefit.  

In accordance with the Programme of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government, the service model will be reformed to tailor it better for each customer and to increase the discretion of officials working in the employment services to determine the service process for private customers. The reform is due to enter into force at the beginning of 2026. 

Inquiries: Toni Ruokonen