Finland seeks EU support for job losses in Äänekoski and Päijät-Häme

Finland has submitted two applications to the European Commission for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, Yle reported on Tuesday. The funding would help workers who have lost their jobs in Äänekoski and the Päijät-Häme region find new employment, develop their skills or move into new occupations.

In Äänekoski, structural change and redundancies in the wood products industry have significantly affected the local labour market. Support is being sought for about 220 people laid off by wood products companies and related businesses. The project has a total budget of 1.3 million euros.

In Päijät-Häme, changes and staff reductions across several industries have weakened the region’s employment situation. The application covers about 780 people who have been laid off from different sectors. The project has a total budget of 1.9 million euros.

The fund can provide services including job-search and career coaching, training, skills development and support for entrepreneurship.

EU funding would cover 60 percent of each project’s total budget, while the remaining 40 percent would be financed nationally. The support period would last two years.

The aim is to help the affected workers find new employment, an education pathway or an opportunity to start a business as quickly as possible. The measures will be tailored to the needs of the regions and workers in cooperation with local operators.

The projects would be implemented by the Northern Central Finland employment area in Äänekoski and the Lahti and Päijät-Häme employment areas.