Local government pilot on emploment

In the local government pilot that began in 2021, some of the customers of the Employment and Economic Development Offices (TE Offices) transitioned to become customers of municipalities. During the experiment, municipalities are responsible for a significant portion of tasks that would typically fall under the purview of TE Offices. These tasks include, among other things, services for job seekers and promoting employment. The pilot areas also make statements to unemployment funds and Kela on the eligibility to earnings-related unemployment allowance or Kela’s unemployment benefits.

The pilot will continue until the end of 2024, after which the public employment services will shift to the municipalities entirely as part of the TE2024 reform.

Who is affected

During the local government pilot until December 31, 2024, the pilot only applies to some of the recipients of earnings-related daily allowance. Your services can be transferred to a local government pilot, if you live in pilot area and you are:

  • under the age of 30
  • an immigrant or
  • your native language is other than Finnish, Swedish or Saame.

In addition, almost all those, who receive unemployment benefits from Kela and live in a pilot area, will have their services through the pilot.

The pilots will not affect people who live in monolingual municipalities and wish to have their services in Swedish as well as people who’s unemployment is short-term.

Starting from January 1, 2025, all recipients of unemployment benefits will become customers of municipalities.

If your services are transferred

If your services are transferred to local government pilot, you will receive a letter or a notification at the TE Office’s e-service. In such cases:

  • Follow the instructions you receive from the local government. Activity instructed by the local government is obligatory. This means that failing to follow the local government’s instructions may lead to suspension period.
  • Claim allowance from your fund normally. Dealing with your fund or the benefits you receive will not change due to the pilot.

You can still use TE Office’s e-services. Your messages and information will be directed to the municipality.

You will receive guidance on jobseeking from the municipality.

Pilot areas

  1. Pilot in Espoo: Espoo
  2. Pilot in the South Ostrobothnia area: Alavus, Isojoki, Karijoki, Kurikka, Kauhajoki, Teuva, Soini
  3. Pilot in Helsinki: Helsinki
  4. Pilot in the Hämeenlinna area: Hämeenlinna, Hattula, Janakkala
  5. Pilot in the Joensuu area: Joensuu, Outokumpu, Liperi, Polvijärvi, Kontiolahti
  6. Pilot in the Jyväskylä areaJyväskylä, Laukaa, Muurame, Äänekoski
  7. Pilot in Jämsä, Keuruu and Saarijärvi: Jämsä, Keuruu, Saarijärvi
  8. Pilot in the Kainuu area: Hyrynsalmi, Kajaani, Kuhmo, Sotkamo, Suomussalmi, Paltamo, Ristijärvi
  9. Pilot in the Kokkola area: Kokkola, Kannus, Perho, Kaustinen, Veteli, Halsua, Toholampi, Lestijärvi
  10. Pilot in the Kuopio area: Kuopio, Iisalmi, Lapinlahti, Siilinjärvi, Sonkajärvi, Vieremä
  11. Pilot in the Lahti area: Lahti, Hollola, Asikkala, Kärkölä, Orimattila
  12. Pilot in the Mikkeli area: Mikkeli, Juva, Hirvensalmi, Mäntyharju, Kangasniemi, Puumala, Pertunmaa
  13. Pilot in the Oulu area: Oulu, Hailuoto, Ii, Kempele, Liminka, Lumijoki, Tyrnävä, Muhos
  14. Pilot in Pirkanmaa: Tampere, Akaa, Hämeenkyrö, Ikaalinen, Juupajoki, Kangasala, Kihniö, Lempäälä, Mänttä-Vilppula, Nokia, Orivesi, Parkano, Pirkkala, Punkalaidun, Pälkäne, Ruovesi, Sastamala, Urjala, Valkeakoski, Vesilahti, Virrat, Ylöjärvi
  15. Pilot in the Pori area: Pori, Kokemäki, Ulvila
  16. Pilot in Porvoo: Porvoo
  17. Pilot in the Raahe area: Raahe, Pyhäjoki, Siikajoki
  18. Pilot in Raseborg and HankoRaseborg, Hanko
  19. Pilot in the Rovaniemi area: Rovaniemi, Tornio, Kemijärvi, Sodankylä
  20. Pilot in the Salo areaSalo, Marttila, Koski Tl
  21. Pilot in SavonlinnaSavonlinna
  22. Pilot in Seinäjoki and Ilmajoki: Seinäjoki, Ilmajoki
  23. Pilot in the Turku areaTurku, Laitila, Paimio, Sauvo, Uusikaupunki
  24. Pilot in Vantaa and KeravaVantaa, Kerava
  25. Pilot in the Ylivieska area: Ylivieska, Alavieska, Kalajoki, Merijärvi, Oulainen