The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK)

Hakaniemenranta 1
P.O.Box 157
FI-00531 Helsinki
Finland

Tel:  +358 20 7740146
Fax:  +358 20 7740231
Email: jari-pekka.jyrkanne(zavinac)sak.fi

Professional career:

Adviser in SAK Education and manpower affairs (1975 - )

National Board of Education, member of governing body (1991 -) Member and former chairman of Education Fund  (1989 - ) Member of several national bodies in the field of  education and labour market Member of  EU Social Dialog Education and Training Committee Member of Leonardo Committee Former member of a.o. ESR, ACVT, Cedefop.

Summary of the presentation:
Jyrkanne

THE  FINNISH LABOUR MARKET  EDUCATION  FUND 

The finnish labour market is in a fast change. Adult education is the key factor.
The renewal of skills needed to balance the development are created trough various ways. Personnel training, labour market training for unemployed and paid educational leave are for adults the main roads to new jobs.

Social partners have taken the responsibility to give financial assistance to employees who take educational leave.  This is made by Education Fund which is administrated by the labour market central organisations.

Former Redundancy Payment Fund was reorganised in 1990ies to support active labour market policies instead of paying redundancy for lost jobs. 

The system of ”adult education allowance” is based on so called  ”social account”. The length  of the period supported is determined according to the employment history accumulated.  Applicants can use their calculated allowance time in advance.

Education Fund also supports adults who qualify in the system of Competence Based Qualification.