LAB Career Spark Subsidy

LAB Career Spark Subsidy for Employers

LAB Career Spark is a wage subsidy that helps employers hire students from LAB University of Applied Sciences for internships, thesis projects, or other fixed-term positions outside of their home country. The work period should support the student’s professional development. The subsidy reduces wage costs and supports early-career talent integration.

Work related terms

• Work should be an internship, thesis project, or fixed-term employment related to the student’s field of studies.
• The working period should be paid the minimum salary of 1,430 €/month (Kela recommendations for minimum wage 2025). For part-time work, salary must be proportional to working hours.
• Work must be on-site or hybrid. Fully remote work is not eligible.
• Minimum duration is one month of full-time work or equivalent part-time workload.

Subsidy Amount & Payment

• 💶 1 month work period: 600 €
• 💶 2 months work period: 1,200 €
• 💶 3 months work period or longer: 1,800 €

The subsidy is paid directly to the employer after the work period ends.

How It Works?

• The student submits the subsidy application.
• LAB University of Applied Sciences reviews eligibility and issues the decision.
• The employer signs an electronic subsidy agreement with LAB University of Applied Sciences.
• The employer invoices LAB University of Applied Sciences for the subsidy after the employment period.

Employer related terms

• The employer can be any organization. Private individuals and the student’s own company are not eligible.
• The employer must comply with Finnish labor legislation and the collective agreements.
• The employer provides adequate supervision throughout the working period.
• The employer signs an employment contract with the student.
• The employer signs the subsidy agreement with LAB University of Applied Scienses before the work period begins.

Timeline

• The subsidy's application must be submitted at least 2 weeks before employment starts.
• The decision is issued within 5 working days.
• The subsidy agreement must be signed before employment begins.

Contact

📧 careerserviceslut [dot] fi (careerservices[at]lut[dot]fi)

📧 Mays Sweidan – Mays [dot] Sweidanlut [dot] fi (Mays[dot]Sweidan[at]lut[dot]fi)

Career Services will happily support employers throughout the process.