The draft budget places particular emphasis on supporting the learning of secondary-level students, promoting graduation and facilitating the creation of new jobs. In upper secondary education, preparations are being made for an increase in student numbers by strengthening guidance and teaching. In August 2027, a new upper secondary school unit in Hakametsä will also open under the auspices of Sammon Central Upper Secondary School. In Employment and Growth Services, measures will continue to be implemented with the aim of increasing employment, supporting entrepreneurship and curbing rising unemployment benefit expenditure.
At the same time, the committee approved the statement on the council initiative discussed in connection with the budget, as well as the proposed additional adjustment measures for the further preparation of the budget.
– Despite the difficult economic situation, we want to invest in young people’s education, employment and the city’s vitality. “The aim of the draft budget is to ensure that young people in Tampere have good opportunities to study, graduate and find their place in the labour market in the years to come,” says Deputy Mayor Jaakko Mustakallio .
The committee also approved the updated criteria for awarding vitality grants. The aim of the reform is to clarify the grant category and target support more effectively towards promoting employment, internationalisation and vitality.
A new form of grant, the interim labour market employment grant, will be introduced to support the employment of the long-term unemployed. In addition, a targeted grant for Economic Development and Innovation Policy will be introduced to strengthen the city’s vitality, attractiveness and research, development and innovation activities.
The committee also approved the inclusion of the ‘Internationalisation Voucher’ as part of the city’s grant scheme. The internationalisation voucher is an incentive aimed at Tampere-based employers, enabling a company, association or foundation to receive a grant of 3,000 euros towards a paid work placement for an international higher education student. Funding has been set aside for ten such placements as part of the pilot scheme.
The committee also considered the council motion submitted by Noora Hakulinen and others regarding an assessment of the introduction of the International Voucher. The committee proposes to the City Board, and subsequently to the City Council, that the motion be noted and declared to have been finalised, as the introduction of the international voucher is proceeding in accordance with the pilot scheme already prepared by the city.
The aim of the international voucher is to facilitate international higher education students’ access to their first work placementsand work experience in the Finnish labour market, to strengthen employers’ capacity to recruit international talent, and to support Tampere’s internationalisation and vitality objectives.
At its meeting, the committee also received a topical update on the Employment and Growth Services’ roadmap for a positive working environment, the current employment situation and key figures, as well as solutions for the secondary education service network.
The draft budget approved by the committee will form part of the mayor’s draft budget. The City Council will make the final decision on the 2027 budget in November.
