What’s new in the Espoo and Kauniainen employment area?

At the beginning of the year, the City of Espoo became responsible for some 30,000 jobseekers as employment services were transferred from the state to municipalities. Advisory services for jobseekers and employers were launched immediately on 2 January, and one-on-one customer service kicked off on the 7th.

- The activities got off to a lively start without notable disruptions, even though the service was very busy in the early days due to the holidays and downtime of the national system. This was nothing our skilled personnel couldn’t handle, and they deserve big thanks for doing so, says Hilla-Maaria Suomi, Employment Director in Espoo.

Espoo participated in the local government trials on employment before the change, which facilitated the transition. The trials produced valuable experience and provided support in preparing for the reform.

- The majority of our personal customers already received their services from the City of Espoo during the local government trial, so switching to the municipality-driven model was not that big for them, Suomi continues.

Customers value familiar service

Customer feedback has mainly been positive. In Espoo, office spaces remained the same in the change. Although the responsible officials might have changed, people appreciate seamless services above all.

- Our customers get their services from familiar places – we just changed the green TE Services’ sign to the blue Espoo one, Suomi says.

The Espoo and Kauniainen employment areas have invested in advice services for job-seeking and face-to-face service provision. These services have been in high demand in the current challenging labour market situation. Employers have also welcomed the reform. Employers are served through a channel shared with Helsinki and Vantaa.

- Municipalities took over employment services in an exceptionally difficult situation, and effective services have become even more important, Suomi points out.

Suomi says that the reform also creates new opportunities. Operating methods can be developed and things can be done in new ways together with partners.

- This requires that we keep an open mind and take a new approach to the work throughout the organisation.

Job Market Finland as part of everyday work

Suomi encourages people to utilise Job Market Finland actively.

- Employers use it to look for jobseekers and publish jobs – that’s why jobseekers should publish a job search profile at Job Market Finland as well, Suomi says.

Job Market Finland also provides information on training, recruitment events and opening hours.

This interview is a part of the What’s new in the employment area? series. In the interviews, experts from different employment areas describe how the employment service reform has progressed in municipalities.

Read more

• Job Market’s regional pages
• Espoo and Kauniainen employment areas regional pages