93
Education, employment and social rights
are a permanent part of the education programs of the universities of applied sciences. They’re also a part of quite many
Young people can be divided into those
programs in universities, either voluntary
who study full-time, those who work, and
or compulsory. In the universities of ap-
those who are unemployed. More than half
plied sciences, the overall extent of the in-
of those aged 15 to 29 study in some type
ternship periods is approximately 30 ects.
of educational institution. In practice, all
In universities the internship takes usually
young people in Finland finish comprehen-
three months. A period of work experience
sive school. Young people in Finland are
is part of Finnish comprehensive school
highly educated. Internships are an essen-
curriculum.
tial issue in creating a smoother transition
Non
from education to employment. They are a
Akatemia
good way to get experiences and skills from
Recreational Activity Study Book (www.
working life. Students may be paid for their
nuortenakatemia.fi)
internships but it is not compulsory and
Youth unemployment rate has increased
it depends on one hand of the employer
since the economic crises. In September
and on the other hand of the school or uni-
2009, the unemployment rate among
versity. Most of the Finnish students work
young people aged 15 to 24 was 16.5 per
while studying (either part time working
cent, which was 3.9 percentage points high-
or between the academic years or both).
er than in the previous year’s September
The study grant system allows a certain in-
(www.stat.fi). A 17-64 years old is allowed
come so that it doesn’t reduce the grant.
to get income-based daily benefit if he has
Nevertheless, the system is considered
been member of an unemployment fund
quite inflexible. Another problem is that
and employed for at least 43 weeks during
students are being encouraged to finish
last 28 months. (If you have joined the fund
their studies as fast as possible. While try-
while being s student, the period might be
ing to proceed in their studies rapidly it is
even seven years.) You can get the income-
not possible to get enough relevant working
based daily allowance for maximum of 500
experience. Internships are offered both in
days. If you are not member of an unem-
private and public sector, but also in non-
ployment fund, you can get daily benefit for
profit organizations. Usually students have
not more than 500 days, as well.
to be active to find an organization for an
Young people have access to social protec-
internship. The governments have started
tion in different ways; An independently liv-
to reduce the number on people working
ing young person who is studying in uni-
in the ministries and other state organi-
versity or polytechnic will get study grant
zations, so that it has also caused some
298 eur/month. He/she will also have grant
problems for students get internships from
for (rental) residency depending on the size
the state/government. Internship periods
of the flat 26,90 – 201,60 eur/month, but
formal
education :
(Youth
NGO
Academy)
Nuoret provides
Appendix