Database of labour market practices
This database gathers practices in the field of employment submitted by European countries for the purposes of mutual learning. These practices have proven to be successful in the country concerned, according to its national administration. The European Commission does not have a position on the policies or measures mentioned in the database.
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| Original Title: | Nuorten tyӧpajat |
| Country: | Finland |
| Responsible body: | Ministry of Education and Culture |
| Name(s) of other organisations involved (partners / sub-contractors): | Ministry of Employment, The National Workshop Association (NWA) (Valtakunnallinen Työpajayhdistys (TPY), Municipalities, Civil society organisations, Employers, Social and Health care Services |
| Start Year of implementation: | 1980 |
| End Year of implementation: | Ongoing |
| EU policy relevance: | The measure is consistent with the Europe 2020 strategy and in particular the flagship initiatives “European platform against poverty and social exclusion” and “An agenda for new skills and new jobs”. It aims to tackle youth unemployment and increase youth employability by supporting vulnerable young people’s transition between education and employment. It is also consistent with the Employment Guidelines and with several EU instruments, such as European Social Funds (ESF) activities to increase employment for disadvantaged young people. Additionally, the measure is in line with the 2013 European Council Recommendations on establishing a Youth Guarantee (which was introduced in Finland in the beginning of 2013). |
| National labour market context: | Both prior to and in the context of the financial crisis the Finnish youth unemployment rate was significantly higher than the general unemployment rate in the country. In 2007 the youth unemployment rate was 16.5% (above EU-average and more than double the general Finnish unemployment rate at that time). From August 2008 to August 2009 the number of unemployed job-seekers (aged 15-24) rose by 65%, whilst the share of unemployed job-seekers in the general population increased by 38%. In September 2009 the youth unemployment rate had reached almost 18% (the rate was 16.5 % in September 2009). Additionally, estimates from 2009 suggested that about 29,000 young people were excluded from the aforementioned statistics. These people were neither in education or training, nor registered as job-seekers. They were typically vulnerable and hard-to-reach young people, which is why their integration into education or the labour market was extremely difficult. Because of this situation for young unemployed people, the Finnish government implemented various measures to support their labour market integration. In this context, amendments to the 2011 Finnish Youth Act in particular stressed the importance of multi-disciplinary cooperation on the local level. |
| Policy area: | Education and training systems, Labour market participation |
| Specific policy or labour market problem being addressed: | The main problem being addressed was the persistent high youth unemployment of vulnerable young people with little prospect of employment or re-entry into education. Youth workshops introduced an in-depth approach to labour market integration for early school leavers with difficult social backgrounds. The workshops adopted a bridging function between the education system and the labour market or further education. Compared to other measures the workshops aimed to intervene as early as possible to prevent early school leavers’ permanent exclusion from the labour market. |
| Aims and objectives of the policy or measure: | The overall aim of the youth workshops was the integration of vulnerable young people into the labour market (or re-enter education). The workshops aimed at improving the young people’s skills and enhancing their employability through hands-on learning and personalised support. The ultimate goal was to ‘catch’ vulnerable young people to prevent their long-term exclusion from the labour market, and motivate them to enter employment or re-enter education. |
| Main activities / actions underpinning the policy or measure: | A central aspect of the workshops was the multiple offers of vocational training in areas such as graphic design, carpentry, metal works, textiles and catering. The process was supported by the development of a personal plan in which the young person played an important role to set own objectives. The training relied on qualified staff that could also take into account the psycho-social issues the young person might be facing (workshop providers could for example arrange for drug or alcohol counselling). A work placement could also be part of the workshop intervention. The workshops allowed early school leavers under 29 years old to develop their vocational skills and improve their employability. The time for participation was individually agreed, but most young people participated for six months, and some for up to a year. Participation was voluntary and based on the participant’s own wish to take control over his/her life. The workshops’ additional focus on social integration thus supported sustainable labour market integration. |
| Geographical scope of policy or measure: | National |
| Target groups: | People not in education, employment or training (NEETs) |
| Outputs and outcomes of the policy or measure: | Evaluation results indicated that the workshops had a positive impact on young people’s labour market outcomes. Outputs demonstrated that the workshops were very popular among the target group. An evaluation from 2011 showed that the number of participants from 2004 to 2010 had more than doubled. In 2004 the workshops had about 8500 participants, and in 2010 they had almost 21,000 participants. Additionally, evaluation results from 2005 showed that 66% of the participants entered employment, education or training after their attendance in the workshops. The Outputs from 2005 also highlighted how the participants came in contact with the workshops:
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Youth workshops