For many students, finding a summer job is an important source of income as
well as an opportunity to increase their skills and sometimes travel to new
places. Besides checking with their school employment offices (usually
only for enrolled students), friends, and acquaintances, students with office
skills can often find temporary work. Finns take long summer holidays; four
weeks or more; and Finnish companies often fill summer vacancies with students
and up-and-coming young professionals. Applying for a summer job, which should
be done as early as January or February, is a good way to get your foot in the
door in Finland .
Useful Addresses
European Youth Portal for Working Holidays in Finland:
http://europa.eu/youth/working/working_holidays/
American-Scandinavian Foundation, Exchange Division, 58 Park Ave.,
New York, NY 10016:
212-879-9779 ext. 731; trainscan@amscan.org, www.amscan.org.
Places summer trainees in engineering, chemistry, computer science or business, mainly in Finland and Sweden . Also places American students and recent graduates over the age of 21 in schools and companies in Finland to teach English from Aug. /Sept. to May in return for a salary of $800-$1,000 a month.
Atlantis Youth Exchange, Rådhusgt 4, 0151 Oslo, Norway:
011-47-22-47-71-70; fax. 011-47-22-47-71-79; atlantis@atlantis.no, www.atlantis.no.
Arranges summer working guest positions on farms for 2-3 months. Also recruits au pairs for a minimum of 6 months
Camp America Finland:
Working with children, mainly outdoors, teaching them about sports, arts and life skills.
http://www.campamerica.co.uk/
[EN]
Finnish Youth Cooperation Allianssi:
Hotel work in Great Britain , camp counseling in USA or Russia , work experience in Brazil and lots of other choices are available for you if you are 18 or older! Allianssi's programs offer working holidays, long-term jobs and summer jobs.
http://www.nuorisovaihto.fi [FI]
Nordjobb:
Summer jobs for 18-26 year olds. Each Nordic country has its own page.
http://www.nordjobb.net [DA][FI][IS][NO][SV]
| You will find information on voluntary jobs or internship
abroad in our other articles on the left column of this page. |
Student Employment - Work Contract and Permit
You should contact the local police department or the employment office to
find out whether you need a work permit or not. As a general rule, you do not
need a work permit if you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or
any of the Nordic countries (Sweden , Norway , Denmark , and Iceland ) or if
you have a permanent residence permit. Foreign students in Finland also
get a work permit automatically as part of their residence permit which allows
them to work up to twenty hours per week during terms and full time during holidays
(December 15 – January 15 and May 1 – September 30).
Taxation
Before you start looking for work you should register at the local tax office
where you receive a tax card. This tax card is then given to your employer.
Employment contract
The employee is entitled to a written employment contract which must be completed
before employment begins. The contract outlines the job description as
well as the agreed upon salary and other benefits. Generally the employment
contract is made for an indefinite term. A contract can also be made for a fixed
term but this requires a good reason. An employer and employee may also
agree on a trial period during which either party can cancel the contract without
a period of notice. Agreeing on a trial period is very common and usually there
is no specific reason for it.
Termination of employment
Except for trial periods, the employment agreement can be terminated only
for a good and valid reason. The notice period varies from 2 weeks to 6 months
and depends on how long your employment relationship has lasted. Make sure to
receive a certificate of employment from your employer. This certificate should
state your major tasks and responsibilities and the period of employment. You
may also ask to receive an evaluation of your work.
Salaries
There is no universal statutory minimum wage in Finland . Instead, minimum
wages and salaries are agreed upon in collective labor agreements.
Insurance
It is always recommended to obtain travel insurance. Moreover this is mandatory
for work in "exotic" countries. A few options are listed below but
you can find others easily on the Internet.
Useful addresses:
Working holiday visa
Finland has working holiday agreements with Australia and New Zealand . Working
Holiday Visas are valid for one year, and you must possess a valid passport
to obtain one.
Eligibility requirements
- You must intend primarily to holiday in Finland
- Be aged between 18 and 30 years inclusive at the time of application
- No dependent children accompanying you
- No previous working holiday permission
- You must have a return travel ticket or sufficient funds with which to purchase
such a ticket
- You must possess reasonable funds for maintenance during your stay in Finland
- Have good health and a sound background
Working Holiday Visa Information:
EURES - The European Job Mobility Portal
http://europa.eu.int/eures/
[English]
Discount Cards
A youth card or student card provides international recognition and is valuable
for discounts.
- International Student Identity Card: for any full-time student over
12 years old.
- International Youth Travel Card: for young people aged 12 to 26 (student
or nonstudent)
- International Student Exchange Card: an international identity
card for students of any age, young people aged 12 to 26 (student or nonstudent),
and teachers or faculty members.
What the Cards offer
- Discounts on air, travel, bus and ferry, transport and accommodation (gap
year backpacking).
- Reduced admission to museums, galleries and historic states.
- 24 hour emergency, legal and medical help line services.
- Basic sickness and accident travel insurance
Useful Addresses
| You will find information on voluntary jobs or internship
abroad in our other articles on the left column of this page. |
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