The Finnish youth employment voucher programme is set to bring new opportunities for young adults struggling to enter the workforce. The government plans to invest 30 million euros into this initiative to support employers hiring young people between 18 and 29 for at least six months.
How the Voucher Programme Works
The initiative provides financial assistance to companies hiring youth with limited formal education or little work experience. Employment Minister Matias Marttinen of the NCP explained that the programme is designed to allow thousands of young Finns to gain their first meaningful work experience.
“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 News.
While the precise value of individual vouchers is still being finalised, the programme will be open to employers in all sectors. The vouchers will act as wage subsidies to encourage private sector hiring, although the reimbursement structure is still under discussion.
Youth Unemployment in Finland
According to Statistics Finland, youth unemployment for those aged 15 to 24 reached 16.8 percent in July, up from 11.5 percent the previous year. The overall national unemployment rate in the same month was 9.9 percent, one of the highest in the European Union after Spain.
This sharp increase highlights the challenges faced by young people entering the Finnish labour market, making the voucher programme a timely intervention.
Matias Marttinen emphasized that the voucher scheme is part of wider government efforts to strengthen employment and provide first steps into the workforce, particularly for those with weaker labour market connections. The plan focuses on making it easier for young people to start in private sector roles and build valuable experience for the future.
The government aims to launch the programme in early 2026, depending on the final approval of funding arrangements.
