Work experience learning period (TET)

The goal is for each pupil to find their own placement, as this allows them to practise their job-seeking skills. Ideally, the placement should be located in Espoo for easy access and a short commute from home. The work experience learning period can be completed at a workplace that can appoint a person in charge of overseeing the pupil’s guidance and safety during the period. On-site training periods included in TEPPO and JOPO programmes can be completed either at a workplace or an educational institution. Domestic chores are not considered work experience or on-site training. It is important to visit the placement location and introduce yourself beforehand. Usually, a school staff member also visits the location during the placement period. The placement must be in Finland. At the placement location, you must fill in the TUTUSTUMISJAKSON SOPIMUS (TET- JA TYÖELÄMÄJAKSO) form, which is available in Finnish on Espoo’s website under Forms and instructions.

Before applying for a placement, you should think about what you hope to gain from your placement period. Do you want to explore a job you are interested in, lay the groundwork for finding a summer job, dive deeper into a job related to your hobby, or discover or learn something entirely new? When looking for a placement, you should also use your own network. Maybe there are opportunities at a family member’s or friend’s workplace. Some workplaces also advertise TET opportunities on platforms like TET.fi (external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish). The website also provides many tips for finding a placement.

If you have other commitments, such as hobbies, that might cause scheduling conflicts, you should take these into consideration when planning the placement. Some workplaces allow you to work outside normal school hours, either earlier or later in the day. Young people aged under 15 can work between 8:00 and 20:00, and those aged 15 or over can work between 6:00 and 22:00, depending on their circumstances.

Any health issues should also be taken into account when planning the placement. Workplaces may have different health-related requirements. More information on health considerations: Töissä terveenä(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish).

The work experience learning period differs from regular schoolwork, as pupils get to apply what they have learned in school and try new things. The workload may feel heavier than normal schoolwork, so it is essential to be well-rested and maintain a good diet and sleep schedule. This will ensure that you have enough energy to carry out various tasks and experience new things.

This information package contains the basics of the introduction to working life, or TET period. 
Please read this information together with your parents/guardians. 

TET introduces you to working life in a real workplace. The TET period is part of school. No wage is 
paid for the TET period.

The TET period for 9th-grade students lasts at least two weeks. 

If you are in 7th or 8th grade, ask your school about the length of your TET period. 

You can complete your TET period in Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen, Vantaa or Kirkkonummi.

You can also complete your TET period elsewhere in Finland if you have permission from your 
parent/guardian and principal.

However, if your TET workplace is elsewhere in Finland, the school will not pay for your travel, food 
or accommodation. These costs will be paid by your parent/guardian.

Find a TET place in a business that interests you. The TET place cannot be your home; housework is 
not an introduction to working life.

If you have allergies or other health issues, think about where you can and cannot work. 

If your TET place is a business where food is prepared, you may need a salmonella certificate. You 
must have the certificate ready before the TET period starts. Ask the school nurse about the 
certificate. 

Persons under the age of 15 can work between 8.00 and 20.00.

Persons over the age of 15 can work between 6.00 and 22.00.

The working week for schoolchildren is 30 hours. 

Once you have found a TET place, schedule a meeting at the workplace. Bring the TET agreement 
with you to the meeting and sign the agreement there. 

TET agreements must be made in two copies: one for the workplace and one for you. 

Fill in the botom part of your agreement with your parent/guardian. It asks about commuting and 
meals during the TET period and the location of the TET place. After that, your parent/guardian 
signs the agreement.

Once your parent/guardian has signed the TET agreement, immediately bring it to school and give 
it to your TET instructor.

The TET workplace must have a person who is responsible for you. They will guide your work. 

You must follow the dress code of the workplace. The details should be specified in your TET 
agreement.

First, ask the responsible person of your TET place whether the employer will provide you with 
lunch. If your employer will not provide you with lunch, you can bring packed lunches.

If you eat packed lunches, you can request meal reimbursement from the school using a form 
provided by the school. 

If your TET place is outside the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and your employer will not provide you 
with lunches, your parent/guardian will have to pay for your meals. These costs will not be 
reimbursed later.

If you fall ill, immediately inform the responsible person of your TET workplace. 

If you know in advance that you will be absent from work for reasons other than illness, inform the 
employer well in advance.

Absences from the TET workplace are absences from school. Your parent/guardian must mark 
them in Wilma.

If you have an accident during your TET period, inform the school as soon as possible. The school’s 
accident insurance will reimburse you for the costs of treating accidental injuries. 

The school will give you an HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) travel card if the distance between your 
home and your TET workplace is more than 5 kilometres. The distance is measured along the 
shortest route you can safely walk. 

If you drive your moped to the TET workplace, you will not be reimbursed for fuel costs.

When your TET period is over, the employer will write you a certificate of employment. You will 
receive a certificate template from your school. Remember to give it to your employer.

Bring your certificate with you when you return to school after the TET period and show it to your 
TET instructor. 

You should keep the certificate of employment. It might be very useful later on when you apply for 
a summer job or other jobs.

Young people’s work experience learning period (TET period) is part of the basic education curriculum. Flexible basic education (TEPPO) includes on-site training periods which can be carried out as a TET period at a workplace or as an introductory period at an educational institution. The aim is for the pupil to learn in a supervised manner about the practices of the workplace or about studying at the educational institution. During the period, the young person gets to apply the skills learned at school and test their ability to cope in a new environment. First-hand work experience deepens young people’s understanding of working life and inspires them to plan their future studies and careers.

The placement period is organised in accordance with school regulations. The pupil is not in an employment relationship with the employer or a student of the institution. Part of the placement period may also involve observing someone else’s work. It is important to remember that pupils are just beginning to learn the rules of working life and that they are not yet professionals in any field. Tasks should be planned in collaboration with the pupil whenever possible.

Placement agreement (TET period and on-site training period)

An agreement (similar to an employment contract) must be filled in for each placement period. The employer or educational institution commits to introducing the pupil to working life / studying during the placement period. The agreement is concluded in two copies, one of which is returned to the school before the placement period starts. The pupil brings the form with them to the placement location. The form can also be found at espoo.fi/en > Forms and instructions(external link, opens in a new window).

The placement period can last from a few days to two weeks. Pupils’ working hours during the period are the same as in school, i.e. approximately 30 hours per week or an average of 6 hours per day. Daily working hours include a meal and coffee breaks. For pupils aged 15 or over, working hours can fall between 6:00 and 22:00, while for those under 15, working hours should be between 8:00 and 20:00. The younger the pupil, the more important it is to take regular breaks.

It would be greatly appreciated if the placement location (employer/educational institution) could provide a meal for the pupil during the day. If meals cannot be provided by the employer, the pupil may have lunch at their own school in Espoo (if the school is near the workplace) or bring their own packed meal. If the pupil has lunch at their school, a daily lunch break should be scheduled. After having lunch, the pupil must return directly to their placement location.

Salary

Pupils are not paid for the placement period. However, they benefit from valuable experience and the guidance and instruction provided by professionals.

Occupational safety 

If a pupil is absent without permission or behaves inappropriately during the placement period, the person in charge should immediately notify the school’s contact person.

A person in charge is assigned at the placement location to guide the pupil during their placement period. The pupil must be properly introduced to the work and working conditions. The pupil must be given sufficient information about any risks and hazards.

Work assignments must comply with regulations concerning young workers and occupational safety. Tasks defined as hazardous under the Government Decree on Work Especially Harmful and Hazardous to Young Workers (475/2006) must not be given to pupils.

Under section 41 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (738/2002), the employer is responsible for ensuring that the machines and equipment used by pupils are in proper condition. General safety regulations must be followed at the placement location. If these regulations are violated, the employer may be held responsible.

Pupils in Espoo’s schools are given instructions on how to behave and information about their responsibilities. The placement period is part of the school curriculum. Pupils are not paid for the placement period. During the placement period, pupils are covered by accident insurance, which covers medical costs for accidents that occur at the placement location or on the way to or from the placement location. If an accident occurs during the placement period, the pupil may seek treatment from either public or private health care providers. If an accident occurs, the school should be contacted, as they are responsible for filing the accident report and providing additional instructions if needed.

If a pupil causes damage at the placement location, the person in charge should notify the school’s contact person immediately. Damage incidents are handled according to applicable legislation.

The workplace / educational institution will provide the pupil with a written certificate once they have completed their placement period. The certificate is similar to a certificate of employment. The person in charge or the person who worked most closely with the pupil will write the evaluation. Those who write evaluations should keep in mind that the pupils are just getting acquainted with working life and are not yet professionals. You can find a certificate template at espoo.fi/en > Forms and instructions(external link, opens in a new window).

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You can find the contact information for the school’s contact person in the placement agreement. Please contact us if you have any questions or matters you want to discuss regarding the placement.