As an employer, you may be eligible for financial support when hiring an unemployed job seeker.

Financial support lowers the threshold for recruitment and gives job seekers an opportunity to develop and utilise their skills while growing into valuable members of your workplace.

Who Are You Hiring?

You may be eligible for support when the employee meets the criteria for the subsidy. Support can be granted, for example, when hiring a person under the age of 30, a long-term unemployed job seeker, or a person with reduced work ability.

Once you have found a suitable candidate, ask them to contact their personal coach to determine whether support can be granted for their employment.

How Much Support Is Available?

The amount and duration of support depend on the situation of the person being hired.

Explore the Available Support Options

Wage Subsidy

• For hiring an unemployed job seeker
• Support covers 50%, 70%, or 100% of wage costs, up to €1,260-€2,020/month
• Usually granted for 5–10 months

Learn more about wage subsidy

Youth Employment Voucher

• For hiring an unemployed job seeker under 30
• 50% of wage costs, up to €1,500/month
• Employment relationship at least 3 months

Employment Subsidy for People Aged 55 or Over

• For hiring an unemployed job seeker aged 55 or over
• Up to €1,770/month
• Maximum 10 months

Learn more about employment subsidy

Municipal Employment Supplement for Enterprises

• For hiring an unemployed job seeker living in Oulu
• Up to €1,500/month
• Duration 12 months

More about municipal supplement for enterprises

Municipal Employment Supplement for Communities

• For hiring an unemployed job seeker living in Oulu
• Complements wage subsidy by covering costs not covered by the subsidy

More about municipal supplement for a community

Summer Job Voucher

• For hiring a 15–17-year-old young person
• €400 per two weeks or 60 hours
• Employee must have a Summer Job Voucher

Summer Job Voucher
SupportWho are you hiring?AmountDuration
Wage SubsidyUnemployed job seekerUp to €1,260-€2,020/monthUsually 5-10 months
Municipal Employment Supplement for EnterprisesOulu resident unemployed job seekerUp to €1,500/month12 months
Municipal Employment Supplement for CommunitiesOulu resident unemployed job seekerUp to €700/monthUp to 12 months
Youth Employment VoucherUnemployed job seeker under 30Up to €1,500/month3-6 months
Employment Subsidy for People Aged 55 or Over55+ unemployed job seekerUp to €1,770/monthUp to 10 months
Summer Job VoucherSummer employee€4002 weeks or 60 hours

How to Apply for Recruitment Support

  1. Find a suitable employee.
  2. Ensure the job seeker meets the eligibility criteria.
  3. Apply before signing the employment contract.
  4. BusinessOulu Employment Services assesses the eligibility and makes a decision.
  5. Receive the decision.
  6. Sign the contract and hire the employee.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Depending on the support scheme, applicants may include companies, associations, foundations, parishes, municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties and other organisations.

  • Processing time depends on the support scheme and is at least 10 business days.

  • Yes, if the eligibility criteria are met for each employee.

  • Yes, if funding allocations have been exhausted or the employment relationship begins before a positive decision.

Need Help Finding the Right Support?

Contact us and we will help you find the most suitable support option.

Kaisa Koljonen

Specialist, Recruitment Services

Jarno Paasonen

Company collaboration coordinator

Terttu Toivanen

Specialist, Recruitment Services