Marttinen: New employment voucher could apply to thousands of young adults. Photo: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva
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The Finnish government plans to introduce a €30 million voucher programme aimed at reducing youth unemployment, Yle News reported on Wednesday.
The initiative will provide financial support to employers who hire young adults aged 18 to 29 for a minimum period of six months. The scheme is intended to target those with limited formal education and little or no work experience.
Employment Minister Matias Marttinen (NCP) said the programme could enable thousands of young people to enter the workforce.
“Our goal is for companies to be able to move forward with this very quickly. At the latest, early next year, when we can make the financing decisions on the matter,” Marttinen told Yle.
While details such as the value of individual vouchers are still being finalised, the scheme will be available to firms in all sectors.
According to Statistics Finland, the unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 stood at 16.8 percent in July, up from 11.5 percent a year earlier. The national unemployment rate reached 9.9 percent in the same month, placing Finland among the highest in the EU, behind only Spain at 10.4 percent.
Marttinen said the measure is part of broader efforts by the government to strengthen employment levels. The scheme is designed to help those with weaker labour market ties take a first step into work, especially in the private sector.
The vouchers will function as wage subsidies, though the exact reimbursement structure is yet to be determined.
The government expects the scheme to be ready for launch in early 2026 at the latest, depending on final approval of funding arrangements.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
