The gig Work Guidebook contains numerous links to various service providers’ pages. Below, you can find a list of links to certain providers of business and employment counselling services, trade unions’ materials for the self-employed, invoicing and staffing services, and academic working life research units.
Business counselling services
The public employment and business services (TE offices) for entrepreneurs
TE offices belong to the Team Finland network of regional SME services. These business counselling services are offered in cooperation with the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY centres), regional business development companies, Enterprise Agencies, and ProAgria.
https://www.te-palvelut.fi/employers/for-entrepreneurs
Suomi.fi online service
The Suomi.fi online service compiles Finnish public services and service channels in one place. It serves private citizens, companies and public authorities. The site also contains information and instructions about entrepreneurship.
https://www.suomi.fi/company
Enterprise Agencies
The Enterprise Agencies’ mission is to turn business dreams into success stories by means of coaching, counselling and sparring The association’s mission is to promote the development of sustainable entrepreneurship in Finland. The Enterprise Agencies are independent, neutral operators that primarily aim to serve the benefits of the person considering entrepreneurship.
https://uusyrityskeskus.fi/
The operations of the Enterprise Agencies are guided by the uniform working principles of the network as well as common quality criteria. From the main site, you can navigate onto the local Enterprise Agency closest to you.
https://uusyrityskeskus.fi/en/help-for-entrepreneurs/the-enterprise-agencies/
For example, the local Enterprise Agency for the Tampere Region is called Ensimetri.
https://www.ensimetri.fi/
Job Market – trial version
Job Market Finland is a new service developed by KEHA-Centre (a joint unit of Ely centres and TE offices) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. It is being ramped up gradually. It offers a shared platform for the public-, private- and third-sector providers of training, business and industry services, and also for the job openings posted on various employment exchange platforms. For job-seekers, Job Market Finland offers improved possibilities to find work that corresponds to their own skills and knowledge, as well as ways to improve their own capabilities. For employers, it providers more agile tools for finding good new employees.
https://kokeile.tyomarkkinatori.fi/Etusivu
Suomen Yrittäjät
Suomen Yrittäjät is an interest and service organization for small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs throughout Finland. Their website offers information, advise and everyday tips for entrepreneurs, including sole entrepreneurs, in Finnish, English and Swedish.
https://www.yrittajat.fi/
Ilona Works
Ilona Works Finland Oy is a start-up running a B2B webshop for small entrepreneurs. The webshop offers a quick and safe way for sole entrepreneurs, small businesses and light entrepreneurs to compare and buy business support services. There are tailored service packages for pension insurance, indemnity insurance, accounting and payroll, mobile subscriptions and internet connections, financing, occupational healthcare, and other such services. The service helps entrepreneurs compare prices and service providers.
The site contains information both in Finnish and English.
https://ilona.works/en/ostoputki/light-entrepreneurship/#/
Training and education in entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur training is offered by numerous service providers, and universities and universities of applied sciences also offer various career coaching and entrepreneurship training opportunities. For example, the HUBS organisation operating at Tampere Universities brings together entrepreneurial-minded students. HUBS offers entrepreneurship-related courses that can be included in the students’ degrees, as well as sparring to support their future plans.
https://hubs.fi/
Trade unions’ guidance for the self-employed
Akava Special Branches’ guidance for the self-employed
Akava Special Branches is a trade union and service organisation serving many industries. Its membership consists of professionals occupying specialist or managerial positions in the fields of culture, administration, communications and well-being. Akava Special Branches is part of the trade union Akava.
https://www.akavanerityisalat.fi/nain_vaikutamme/ammatinharjoittaja_ja_yrittaja_jasenena
Akava’s thematic programme to improve the position of entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals
https://akava.fi/en/what-we-aim-for/improving-the-position-of-entrepreneurs-and-self-employed-professionals/
The Association of Freelance Journalists in Finland (AFJ)
Association of Freelance Journalists in Finland (AFJ) is a member organization of the Union of Journalists in Finland. AFJ members are mostly freelance journalists working for the press. Self-employment is traditionally a prominent form of employment in the field of journalism, and therefore the Association’s website also contains instructions for freelance work.
The site is mainly in Finnish with some information available in English.
https://www.freet.fi/
Invoicing services and staffing companies
Uusi työ – New Work
The New Work Association works to promote and represent the self-employed and light entrepreneurship. It produces and distributes relevant information and improves and clarifies the operational preconditions of the field. Measured by revenue, the association represents approximately 95% of the businesses operating in the invoicing service industry.
The site is mainly in Finnish with some information available in English. https://uusityo.fi/
The Private Employment Agencies’ Association HPL
The Private Employment Agencies’ Association HPL is the employer and industry association for companies providing private employment services (staffing, recruitment, outsourcing, personnel development). Its member companies are committed to the code of conduct and general terms and conditions for the sector.
https://hpl.fi/
HPL member companies
https://hpl.fi/jasenpalvelut/lista-jasenyrityksista/
Research
The Finnish Association of Work Life Research (FAWORE)
The purpose of the Association is to enhance the proficiency and expertise of working life researchers and professionals, increase awareness of work life research and, consequently, improve its quality, raise the standard of research and developments by promoting critical academic discussion, and also to improve the usability of research outcomes and disseminate best practices for work life.
The Association publishes a journal called Työelämän tutkimus, which is available in Finnish and Swedish. The site is mainly in Finnish with a brief English overview of the Association.
https://www.tyoelamantutkimus.fi/english/
Turku Centre of Labour Studios (TCLS)
https://www.utu.fi/en/university/turku-school-of-economics/turku-centre-for-labour-studies-tcls