Project

The current state and future needs of vocational rehabilitation

The study is part of Kela’s project for the development of the range of vocational rehabilitation services. The aim of vocational rehabilitation is to support a person in finding employment, remaining employed or returning to work life when their work ability or functional capacity has been significantly impaired due to an illness, injury, mental health challenges or other long-term stress. Vocational rehabilitation is organized by Kela, earnings-related pension provider as well as workers' compensation and motor liability insurers.

Timetable

3/2026–1/2027

Objectives

The aim of the project is to collect data on

the organisation and provision of vocational rehabilitation.
How is the work and responsibilities divided between different parties in Finland? What kinds of services are offered and to which target groups and what needs do the current services meet?
the future needs of vocational rehabilitation.
How should vocational rehabilitation be organized in Finland in the future? What kind of new needs are expected? What kinds of trends and new services can be seen and how will the structure of the workforce, demographic changes, changes to work life and societal phenomena affect the clients, demand and content of vocational rehabilitation?
international practices and development prospects in vocational rehabilitation.
What types of solutions are in use, and what development prospects can be observed in the comparison countries? What can we learn from practices in the Nordics and other Northern European countries?

Data and methods

Literature review
The literature review is used to gather information on the organisation of vocational rehabilitation and future needs in Finland, as well as international practices and development prospects in selected Northern European countries. The literature review will focus on the vocational rehabilitation system and services in particular. Statistical data on the organisation of and participation in vocational rehabilitation in Finland will also be surveyed.
Thematic interviews
Information on the current situation and future needs of vocational rehabilitation in Finland is collected by interviewing approximately 20 experts from the following stakeholders: organisers of vocational rehabilitation, rehabilitation service providers, employers, employment services, ministries, health care and occupational health care experts and researchers, and developers in the field of rehabilitation.
Future workshops
The project will carry out two foresight workshops aimed at identifying development trends that support or challenge the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation in a changing operating environment. Stakeholders in vocational rehabilitation, service providers, employers, employment services, ministries, healthcare and occupational health services, as well as rehabilitation research and development, and experts by experience are invited to participate in the workshops.

Results and impact

The results of the project will be used to further develop vocational rehabilitation. The final report of the project will be published in Kela's "Kuntoutusta kehittämässä" (developing rehabilitation) series of publications.