Work try-outs and pay subsidy are useful employment methods also in the maritime sector
- News
Although the maritime sector has its own special characteristics, it can benefit from employment support services like any other sector. 25-year-old Derrick Jääskeläinen found employment at the Maritime Training Center through a work try-out and pay subsidy after an extended period of illness.
Many people are fascinated by the maritime sector, as working on a ship allows them to travel and see the world. This is what Derrick Jääskeläinen (on the left side of the photo) expected when he started his maritime studies in Rauma in 2016.
"I was excited about seeing different cultures and people when working on a ship. I studied for three years and did my military service. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and ships no longer recruited new employees. I went to work in a land-based bar for a while," Jääskeläinen recounts.
In summer 2023, Jääskeläinen got a job on a steamship on a three-month contract. One week before the end of the contract, he became seriously ill and was unable to work for the following year. Even after recovering from the illness, the doctor did not issue him with a seafarer's medical certificate, which is required for working on board.
Jääskeläinen became unemployed and registered as a job seeker with the employment services. With the help of the Seafaring Employment Service, an employment official, a solution was found. Jääskeläinen got a three-month work try-out at the Aboa Mare Maritime Training Center in Turku in December 2024.
"At the beginning of the try-out, we tested how much I can handle physically. I worked in ship control simulators in IT. After the try-out, Aboa Mare employed me on pay subsidy, and I have worked on the same tasks and received more responsibility ever since. I make sure that the simulators work as they should," says Jääskeläinen, working under the title of office worker.
Detailed criteria for shipboard work
Shipboard work has strict health requirements for its employees. Before a person can start working on board, they must undergo a comprehensive initial examination for a seafarer’s medical certificate. After that, health is usually monitored through medical examinations every two years. In certain cases, the examinations are more frequent.
"Permits related to working on a ship may have restrictions on where and how far from their home country an employee can work and what kind of tasks they can perform. Smoke diving, for example, may be subject to restrictions. The restrictions can, however, be waived if the employee’s health improves and fulfils the criteria," says Ville Käldström (on the right side of the photo), Chief Specialist at the Seafaring Employment Service, which operates nationally in the Turku employment area.
Sometimes fairly common health challenges, such as migraine, reduced vision or allergies, can limit the possibilities of working on board. In recent years, medical examinations in the maritime sector have found that the general condition of people has deteriorated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a seafarer's medical certificate is denied, there are often several health-related reasons.
Work try-outs are risk-free for the employer
Derrick Jääskeläinen says that he was slightly lost during his unemployment and had doubts whether any employer would hire a person with his health challenges.
"Work try-outs are risk-free for the employer. It's not an employment contract but a work trial agreement between the employer, the employee and the employment authority. The work try-out participant is able to demonstrate their skills, and if their health deteriorates significantly during the trial period, the employment authority is covered by insurance," explains Ville Käldström.
Käldström also brings out work try-outs offered by insurance companies. They are different from the work try-outs of employment services, and the two should not be confused. In an insurance company's try-out, the participant usually tries to get back to working life and to a job that matches their experience. This is more rehabilitative than the employment services' work try-out.
Käldström points out that the maritime sector is more than just shipboard work. There are jobs, for example, in ports, educational institutions in the field, marine technology, and agencies dealing with maritime affairs. The Seafaring Employment Service helps job seekers find employment in the sector around Finland.
"We use employment specialists to help you create a CV, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and more. We can also use vocational guidance and career planning psychologists. In addition, the Seafaring Employment Service organises Work at Sea job seeking training where shipping companies, educational institutions, authorities, and others to present their activities. This can help job seekers make useful contacts."
Employment services also offer a wide range of labour market training in the maritime sector, for example for acquiring and renewing certificates of proficiency.
Employment methods worth a try
In the case of Derrick Jääskeläinen, the Seafaring Employment Service contacted the employer.
"My guess is that employers don't often think about work try-outs and the like unless someone suggests them. In my mind, work try-outs are an easy solution for the employer. Of course, our task was to consider whether we had tasks that matched Derrick's interests, so we discussed in advance what he would like to do," says Lena Forsman, Course Coordinator at Aboa Mare.
Derrick Jääskeläinen emphasises the importance of initiative on a work try-out.
"A real desire to learn is important. You should pay attention to what others do and do what you can on your own initiative. If you don't know something, you can always ask," he points out.
Lena Forsman felt that dealing with the employment authority in Jääskeläinen's case was effortless for the most part.
"Applying for pay subsidy was the only thing that seemed a bit bureaucratic, as the application can only be signed by a person with the right to sign. In my opinion, it could be made clearer to employers that the granted pay subsidy only covers gross wages, not indirect wage costs."
According to Ville Käldström, there will be a constant need for workers in the maritime sector also in the future, for example due to the retirement of baby boomers. He encourages employers in the maritime sector to utilise work try-outs and pay subsidies for employment.
"I particularly encourage maritime education institutions, authorities, ashore companies, and domestic transport operators. Because of certain benefits for shipping companies, pay subsidy does not always apply to international maritime traffic."
As for Derrick Jääskeläinen, he is satisfied with his current situation.
"I have no complaints about dealing with the employment authority. Frankly, I don't know what I would have done without the help. Being sick and unable to work was quite depressing. Now that I've got back to my routines, life looks more positive. I hope my story is a reminder that even when life is difficult, you can find a solution to unemployment."
You can read more about employment support services, work try-outs and pay subsidies at Job Market Finland.