The South Karelia Employment Area to start on 1 January 2025

As of 1 January 2025, the responsibility for organising TE services will be transferred from the central government to municipalities (Act on the Organisation of Employment Services 380/2023). In South Karelia, the services are arranged using the responsible municipality model. In accordance with the agreement with the region’s municipalities, the City of Lappeenranta shall act responsible for providing services in South Karelia. The decisions concerning shall be made by the South Karelia Board of Employment and Immigration (Etelä-Karjalan työvoima- ja maahanmuuttolautakunta).

In addition to the transfer of responsibilities, a wider service package, an ecosystem, has been built together with several actors in South Karelia. These services are formed into functioning and effective entirety for the jobseekers and entrepreneurs.

Effects of the change for the customers

In South Karelia, employment services will be provided in 2025 at the current locations of TE services in Lappeenranta and Imatra.

With the reform, majority of services will not change from the customers' point of view. Digital services will remain to make it possible to manage one's own affairs regardless of time and place, and personal service will be provided by TE personnel mainly moving to the employment area to continue as experts.

The TE reform also affects the information systems in use. To follow up the functionality of the information secure operating environment, there may be short-term interruptions at the beginning of 2025, for example to book an appointment. More details shall follow at the turn of the year.

For more information go to Finnish page: Etelä-Karjalan työllisyyspalvelut - Lappeenranta