Youth hiring voucher helps dozens find work in Uusimaa

A new youth employment voucher has helped dozens of people find work in Finland’s Uusimaa region, although funding remains available to hire hundreds more, Yle reports.

German Bogdanovs, 20, from Lohja, found a job at industrial company Mamec Oy after completing military service and spending five months unemployed. He had a vocational qualification and work experience, but applied for 60 jobs before being hired at his former training placement through the voucher.

“It felt like I was not moving forward in my life at all,” Bogdanovs said.

“I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have a job. I don’t even want to think about it. This is important to me.”

Employers still unfamiliar with the scheme

The voucher was introduced at the beginning of the year to promote employment among people aged 18 to 29. It is a form of wage subsidy that companies apply for on behalf of an employee.

By the end of July, only dozens of young people in Uusimaa had been hired through the scheme, even though there was enough funding to support hundreds of hires.

Anna-Mari Rouru, director of employer services in Helsinki, believes the scheme has been used little because it is new and unfamiliar to businesses. Employers in Helsinki have found it easier to apply for more established forms of support, such as wage subsidies or the Helsinki supplement.

Employers considering hiring a young person should contact employment services in their own area, Rouru said. Officials can advise them on applying for the support and help identify suitable candidates, although the employer makes the final hiring decision.

Support lowered the threshold for hiring

Hannu Ryynänen, chief executive of Mamec Oy in Lohja, heard about the monthly recruitment support of 1,500 euros through an active mailing campaign by the Lohja Karkkila employment services.

Ryynänen said the company had hired new employees in response to growth, including Bogdanovs. He nevertheless considers the support useful because it lowers the threshold for recruitment and eases the productivity pressures associated with training new employees.

Both Ryynänen and Bogdanovs hope the voucher will remain available after next summer.

Applications have started to increase

Experts at employment areas across Uusimaa said applications for the support increased slightly in July after the eligibility rules were changed.

Since the beginning of July, employers have been able to receive support for hiring an unemployed young person for three to six months. Previously, support was granted only for a six-month period. The requirement for the applicant to have been unemployed for six months was also removed.

The changes are expected to increase the number of applications in the autumn. Six vouchers have been granted in the Lohja Karkkila area since the beginning of July. In total, the area has received enough funding to support the employment of about 30 young people.

“If the pace continues like this, it looks quite good,” said Melinda Paunonen, an employment coordinator with Lohja Karkkila employment services.

Officials interviewed by Yle said it was also positive that about half of the young people hired through the voucher had continued in permanent employment after the supported period ended.

Unadvertised jobs may be available

Although applications for the support appear to be increasing in several parts of Uusimaa, many young people remain unemployed.

Rouru said some employers do not advertise vacancies publicly even when they need workers, as a single job advertisement can attract hundreds of applications.

In the current situation, she said, contacting an employer directly by phone or visiting the workplace may offer the best chance of finding a job.

Bogdanovs also advised jobseekers to ask their friends whether they know of any openings. In his view, it is currently easier in Finland to find work through personal connections.