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-related work, 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:

The subsidy applies to:

• Internships, thesis-related work, or fixed-term employment related to the student’s field of studies
• Paid employment, Minimum salary: 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: one month of full-time work (or equivalent part-time workload)

Subsidy Amount & Payment

Fixed subsidy amount (independent of salary):

• 💶 1 month work period: 600 €
• 💶 2 months work period : 1,200 €
• 💶 3 months 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 (You can check the application here
• LAB UAS reviews eligibility and issues the decision
• The employer signs an electronic subsidy agreement with LAB UAS
• LAB UAS pays the subsidy after the employment period (Invocing details attached to the contract)

Employer related terms:

The employer must:

• Be a registered organization. Private individuals and the student’s own company are not eligible
• LAB UAS and LUT University are eligible employers
• Comply with Finnish labor legislation and applicable collective agreements
• Provide adequate supervision throughout the working period
• Sign an employment contract with the student
• Sign the subsidy agreement before the work period begins

Timeline

• Application deadline: at least 2 weeks before employment starts
• Decision issued within 5 working days
• Subsidy agreement 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.