Public employment services support employment and growth 

As a result of the TE services reform 2024 (reform of employment and economic development services), municipalities will be responsible for employment services from 1 January 2025.  Public employment services can be organised by a municipality, a municipal co-management area (employment area) or a joint municipal authority.  
 
Read more about the TE services reform 2024

Public employment services promote the functioning of the labour market by ensuring the availability of skilled labour, the employment of jobseekers and enhanced ability of citizens to find work. 

Public employment services assist new entrepreneurs and make it easier for enterprises to operate successfully. 

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for the general guidance, development and supervision of public employment services. In addition, the Ministry is responsible for legislation on employment services. On the proposal of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Government will set national targets for promoting employment, which define strategic objectives for promoting employment, each government term. The Ministry monitors the achievement of the objectives on an annual basis.  

Employment authorities are responsible for public employment services. The customers of employment services include private customers, companies and other bodies. The organisations providing customers with employment services are experts in business and industry and the labour market. In addition to public employment services, other employment and business services can be provided by 

  • companies, 
  • regional and national business service organisations, 
  • educational institutions, 
  • third-sector operators, 
  • public-sector joint service points, 
  • the Customer Service Centre of the employment and economic development administration, which provides nationwide customer service online and by telephone, and  
  • temporary work agencies and other private providers of services. 

The Development and Administrative Centre for ELY Centres (KEHA Centre) offers development and administrative services to ELY Centres and municipal employment authorities.

Inquiries: Ahti Avikainen