Training try-out for young persons – see if the field of study you have chosen is the right choice for you

Are you unsure about what field of study might be a good fit for you? A training try-out can help you find out more about the field of study you have chosen in practice. Training try-outs are intended for young persons aged 16–29.

A training try-out is one of the many vocational rehabilitation services Kela can offer to young persons. If your functional capacity has declined due to a medical condition, vocational rehabilitation services may be the right option for you.

What is a training try-out?

During a training try-out, you will get to see what kind of studies the field of study you have chosen involves and what the studies cover. This will help you see if the field you have chosen matches your expectations and if you have what it takes to study it. You will also get help with planning your studies.

Training try-outs are usually carried out at an institute of vocational education or an institution that offers vocational special needs education and training. Before you can apply for vocational rehabilitation in the form of a training try-out, you must choose the field of study and contact the educational institution you want to try out to agree on the training try-out.

The training try-out is free of charge for you.

Who is the try-out for?

A training try-out may be a good option for you if

• you need help with choosing your field of study
• you are not sure if the field you have chosen is right for you in practice.

What is a training try-out like?

A training try-out can last for up to 10 days. The number of days depends on your needs and the options offered by the educational institution you have chosen.

During the try-out, you will

• find out more about the studies and what studying in your chosen educational institution is like
• see if the field you have chosen is right for you
• talk to teachers and guidance counsellors
• get guidance on matters related to the studies.

How to apply

Choose the educational institution you want to try out and agree with them on the training try-out before you apply for it from Kela. You will need the name, phone number and email address of your contact person at the educational institution for your application.

Do as follows after you have agreed on your training try-out with the educational institution:

1. Fill in the form Vocational rehabilitation for young persons (KU 143e, PDF).

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the form directly in the browser because some of the information may not be saved that way.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
   • Tell us in the application which service provider’s rehabilitation you want to participate in.
   • Save the completed application form on your device. Note that the application must be in PDF format.
2. Send the application in the OmaKela e-service (available in Finnish and Swedish).

   • Log in to OmaKela and select Tee hakemus (Submit an application).
   • First select Sairastaminen ja kuntoutus (Sickness and rehabilitation). Then select Kuntoutus – tee hakemus (Rehabilitation – Submit an application). Finally, select Ammatillinen kuntoutus (Vocational rehabilitation).
   • If you send your application in OmaKela, you do not need to sign it.
3. Visit OmaKela to see if Kela has made a decision on your application. We will also send the decision notice to the rehabilitation service provider. This tells the service provider that Kela will pay for your rehabilitation, and the service provider will reserve a place for you on the rehabilitation course.

If you cannot use OmaKela, mail your application to Kela. Save the form to your device and fill it in after saving it. Print out the completed form and send it and any supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

Let us know if you cannot participate in the training try-out

Remember to tell Kela immediately if you cannot participate in the training try-out. Let us know that you have to cancel by sending a message to us in the OmaKela e-service or by calling our customer service number for rehabilitation clients.

We recommend that you also contact the educational institution to let them know you have to cancel.

Check if you can get rehabilitation allowance and travel cost reimbursements

Kela pays rehabilitation allowance to give you financial security during rehabilitation. Kela may also reimburse you for rehabilitation-related travel costs.