There will be changes to the jobseeker's service process and employment services at the turn of the year
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The jobseeker's service process and employment services will be revised so that more people will find employment faster. The aim is for the jobseeker to receive individual service and for their needs to be taken into account more closely than before. There will also be changes to job offers, the obligation to apply for work and the obligation of young people to apply for education.
The changes will enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The jobseeker's service process will become lighter
Lightening the jobseeker's service process increases the efficiency of resource use and takes the customer’s individual situation into account better than before. Going forward, more will be invested in personal encounters and initial interviews. The employment authority’s discretion increases, and the authority has an obligation to promote the employment of the customer by offering more individual service.
Initial interview and job search discussions
Currently, the employment authority arranges an initial interview within five working days of the start of the job search. In addition, five supplementary job search discussions are held within three months of the initial interview. After that, a discussion takes place every three months.
From the beginning of 2026, the initial interview will be held within ten working days of the start of the job search. The formal service process will be discontinued and, instead, supplementary job search discussions will be arranged for the jobseeker based on their service needs. However, job search discussions will continue to take place every three months.
The employment authority assesses the need for services based on the jobseeker's individual situation. The assessment takes into account, among other things, work ability and functional capacity, which affect job search and employment. If necessary, the jobseeker will be referred to other expert assessments so that the situation can be investigated in an interdisciplinary manner.
Employment plan
The employment authority draws up an employment plan with the jobseeker. The plan includes measures related to job search and business development.
Going forward, the plan can be expanded to include services that meet the applicant’s individual needs. The services can improve, for example, work ability and functional capacity or the ability to apply for work and become employed.
Changes to job offers, the obligation to apply for work and the obligation to seek training for young people
The employment authority can make a job offer, i.e. assign a job to a jobseeker for which the job seeker must apply. In the future, applying will become obligatory earlier than now. The general obligation to apply for work will also apply to jobseekers who work part-time. Young jobseekers can fulfil their obligation to apply for education by applying for education that does not lead to a degree, if certain conditions related to their health are met.
Job offers
Currently, jobseekers must apply for jobs assigned to them by the employment authority six months after the initial interview. Going forward, jobs assigned by the employment authority must be applied for from the start of unemployment.
Obligation to apply for work
Current part-time jobseekers must apply for one job opportunity over three months. Going forward, their obligation to apply for work will be the same as for other jobseekers: four job opportunities must be applied for over a month, unless the obligation to apply for work has been reduced or the jobseeker has been exempted from the obligation.
The work ability of jobseekers will be taken into account better than before. The jobseeker is not obliged to apply for work if it is found during the service process that it is not possible to accept the job, taking into account the jobseeker’s work ability.
Young people’s obligation to apply for education
Currently, jobseekers under the age of 25 who have not completed a vocational qualification after comprehensive or upper secondary school must apply for at least two study places in education leading to a qualification or degree in order to be entitled to unemployment benefit. The training to be applied for must be such that the person applying for the training meets the criteria for admission as a student.
In the future, the application obligation can also be fulfilled by applying for training for work and independent living, labour market training acquired jointly with the employer or arranged in a similar manner or other similar training, if this has been agreed in the employment plan or a plan replacing it. The condition is that the young person has a disability or illness that prevents them from progressing to education leading to a degree. The plan may also include an agreement on a different time for reviewing the application for study places.
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