Open higher education studies to no longer affect the unemployment security of job seekers aged 25 or older

Beginning on July 1, open higher education studies at a university, university of applied sciences, adult education centre, or summer university will not affect a job seeker’s right to unemployment security if they are at least 25 years of age. Job seekers will not be required to report these studies to the employment authority, and the employment authority or the KEHA Centre will not investigate the impact of these studies on the job seeker’s right to unemployment security.

During their studies, the job seeker will still be required to

• apply for job opportunities in the manner agreed upon in their employment plan,
• be ready to accept full-time work, and
• participate in services that promote employment, should these be offered to them.

In the future, job seekers will no longer be able to pursue open higher education studies as independent studies supported by unemployment benefits through a separate arrangement between the job seeker and the employment authority. This also applies to job seekers under the age of 25.

The purpose of the amendment is to increase the opportunities of unemployed job seekers to participate in open higher education while also reducing the administrative burden of investigating the conditions of unemployment benefits.

• Student unemployment security
• Independent studies with unemployment benefit