Helsinki is enhancing its attractiveness as an employer with a recently launched salary development program. The program specifically focuses on professional groups working with children and youth.

Deputy Mayor for Education and Training, Johanna Laisaari, is very pleased with the program, which recognizes the needs of the education sector and emphasizes early childhood education. Salary increases will be directed towards early childhood education teachers, S2 teachers, social workers in early childhood education, and special education teachers in early childhood education. This affects nearly 3,000 employees’ salaries. Additionally, in the culture and leisure sector, salaries for youth workers will be increased.

“I am very satisfied with the solution made, which acknowledges the fact that there is a significant shortage of early childhood education teachers in Helsinki. We Social Democrats emphasized during the budget negotiations that the city must be a good employer if we want to address the labor shortage in early childhood education and other sectors,” states Deputy Mayor Laisaari.

The health and social services sector is also investing in professionals working with children and youth, with psychologists working in student welfare receiving salary increases, and speech therapists will also receive additional pay moving forward.

“It is essential to take care of the well-being and equality of children and youth in our city. For this reason, it is very significant to invest in the stability and recognition of professionals working with children and youth, including through salary measures,” Laisaari concludes.