Asiakasnäkymä
Independent studies during the integration period
Service implementation:
Life situation and service category:
Service language:
Charges:
The studies may include course fees, study material fees and other similar fees that are paid by the client.
Who is the service for?
According to the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration, receiving support for independent studies requires that:
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- the employment authority assesses whether the studies are the best way to support your employment and integration
- you are entitled to integration services and an integration plan
- the studies are agreed on in your integration plan.
Participant’s municipality of residence:
Age:
How can I participate in the service?
In order to participate in this service, you must apply for independent training by yourself and/or with help from a specialist. Different education providers are responsible for the student selection process and the organisation of independent training.
BEFORE applying for and starting your studies, confirm whether the studies can be supported as independent studies with the unemployment benefit. Provide your assigned specialist with a KUNTA0714 account of the studies, filled in by the educational institution, and/or an admission confirmation, and contact your assigned specialist.
You and the assigned specialist will agree on support for your studies and monitoring the studies in your integration plan if it is possible to support the planned studies with the unemployment benefit during the integration period.
Please note that when the employment authority offers you a study place in instruction in reading and writing skills, for instance, you must start and complete the training in order to retain your right to the unemployment benefit.
You can receive the unemployment benefit for independent studies during the integration period if
- you have registered as a jobseeker
- you are entitled to integration services and an integration plan
- the employment authority deems that these studies are the best way to support your employment and integration
- you will be studying Finnish or Swedish or the studies will mostly take place in Finnish or Swedish (exception: social orientation)
- the studies are agreed on in your integration plan.
Please keep in mind that participants in this service have obligations that you must meet during the studies.
Independent studies may improve your level of Finnish or Swedish proficiency as well as your other professional skills and chances to find a job. You can receive the unemployment benefit and compensation for expenses for the duration of independent training if your assigned specialist supports you studying on the unemployment benefit.
Please note that the employment authority will not pay for any course fees or other participation fees, for instance.
How is the service organised?
Studies that can be supported as independent studies during the integration period include studies such as:
- Finnish or Swedish language studies
- studies included in preparatory instruction and lower secondary education for adults
- studies in reading and writing skills
- studies leading to a vocational qualification or vocational studies
- studies previously left unfinished or new studies.
The supported studies must support your employment and integration and improve your Finnish or Swedish proficiency. The studies must consist of Finnish or Swedish language studies or the studies must mostly take place in Finnish or Swedish. The studies can be carried out in the form of contact teaching, online learning or blended teaching, for instance. In addition to the supported independent studies, the studies can include on-the-job learning periods and activities organised by a non-governmental organisation or other volunteering. At least half of the duration of the supported independent studies must consist of studies.
You can study while receiving the unemployment benefit for up to 24 months. However, if the studies comprise preparatory instruction and lower secondary education for adults, you can receive support for up to 48 months. In order to receive the unemployment benefit, you must progress in your studies as agreed on in your integration plan.