Govt grants €60m to train unemployed youths

The government on Thursday decided in its fourth supplementary budget for 2020 on the regional allocation of employment appropriations for the management of the coronavirus crisis.

A total of EUR 60 million was allocated to the centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (Ely centres), said the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release.

This additional appropriation is a response to the rise in unemployment caused by the coronavirus epidemic. Young people and recent graduates have been placed in a particularly difficult position, because the epidemic has weakened the operating conditions of many companies and reduced hiring of new workers.

“These additional contributions will mitigate the effects of the coronavirus crisis, which have affected young people in particular. We must now invest in developing the skills of unemployed people,” said Employment Minister Tuula Haatainen.

The appropriations will be mainly used for employment services and training for young people as well as for the development of competencies through training and coaching in cooperation with businesses.