Finland Times

Helsinki, February 8 – The Finnish authorities have undertaken schemes to support youths at the heightened risk of social exclusion as some 40,000 young Finnish remained out of employment market last year, officials said.

These youths, who have completed merely comprehensive school education, will be supported with a youth guarantee scheme that was started at the beginning of the New Year, said a official communication issued on the eve of a meeting of the ministers of employment and social affairs began on Thursday.

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Paula Risikko and State Secretary of the Ministry of Employment and Economy Janne Metsämäki will represent Finland at the two-day meet to discuss youth unemployment and the employment rate of elderly women.

"The Finnish youth guarantee scheme will guarantee a further education place to young people immediately after the comprehensive school. The unemployed young people will be offered a job, education place, training or rehabilitation after the unemployment has lasted no more than three months", Risikko said in a statement.

The statement added that more than 40,000 Finnish youths were outside the labour market and studies in 2011.

To prevent social exclusion of the young, Finland has introduced an additional year in basic education, preparatory education, and workshop and outreach activities, it added referring to the European Commission proposed recommendation on the youth guarantee.

Finland supports the proposal that suggests unemployed youths should be guaranteed access to work, education or some other action that promotes employment within four months from the start of employment It noted that prolonged unemployment makes more difficult to find employment.

"It is vital that member states implement the youth guarantee as a comprehensive project creating a commitment among various

administrative branches and actors within civic society. Young people should be active and responsible participants in the project," says State Secretary Metsämäki.

The government plays an active role in developing working life women's working life participation and employment rate is very high in Finland compared to other European countries.

"Promoting longer working careers and reducing early retirement is a key target and has been widely accepted in our country. The objective is to raise the average retirement age, bolster equality, and improve the reconciliation of work and family life", Minister Risikko says.

"The achievement of these goals requires, in particular, the improvement of the quality of working life, development of expertise,

wellbeing at work, and good management", Minister says.

The Government has also set up a Management Development Network that gathers and disseminates good management practices and leadership skills to workplaces.