From work trial to working life: training and development project
Objectives
A work trial produces information on a person’s competence, work ability, working life skills and possible need for work accommodation or work environment. Work trials are organised by several parties. There are no uniform goals, processes, operating models or income benefit for work trials. Instead, these vary depending on the organiser of the work trial. This creates uncertainties at workplaces about the goals, the possibilities of the work trial and the need for support for the work trial participant.
The project aims to develop
- the competence and multiprofessional cooperation of people at the workplace and of work ability and employment support professionals;
- the content and process of the work trial, tools related to the work trial and training related to the work trial. The Operating Model for Work Accommodation will be integrated into the work trial process.
In developing the work trial, the aim is to
- increase the sustainable employment of persons with partial work ability, persons with difficulties finding employment and persons with disabilities as well as
- influence employers’ attitudes and willingness to offer work trial placement.
Project measures
- Collection of information on the starting point of the work trial
Data will be collected to form a situational picture of the work trial. The starting point data will consist of research data, expert data and collection of practical observations and experiences. - Co-development of the content, process and tools of the work trial
The content, process and tools of the work trial will be co-developed in national workshops. The Operating Model for Work Accommodation will be integrated into the work trial process. Organisers of work trials, employers offering work trial placement, people who have participated in work trials, rehabilitation service providers and work ability and employment support professionals from different parts of the service system, such as wellbeing services counties and employment management, will be invited to participate. - Development and piloting of Work Trial online training
The Work Trial online training will be produced according to the planned development process. The training will also be piloted and assessed. The online training will include sections for workplace actors, work trial participants and work ability and employment support professionals.
Results and impact
The results of the project will include a uniform work trial process and related tools as well as the Work trial online training open to everyone. These will be published in Finnish, Swedish and partly in plain language.
After the project, the online training materials will be freely available to everyone. The material can be utilised by employers and supervisors, work trial participants and work trial organisers as well as other professionals in the service system and educational institutions in the field.
Funded by
The project is primarily funded the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The project is included in the national theme “Providing support for people with difficulties in finding a job” (1/2025–12/2027). Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021–2027, EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme. The funding authority is the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. The project is co-funded by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
Ask about the project
Kirsi Unkila
Project leader, senior specialist
