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How to join?

Any individual engaged in working life or studying within higher education is welcome to join an Akava affiliate union. The unions welcome students, employees, self-employed professionals and entrepreneurs. The jaseneksi.fi service will help you in finding a suitable union on the basis of your field of education or your degree.

If you are in working life, you can contact the shop steward or representative of Akava unions at your workplace and they will assist you in selecting a suitable union.


Trade Union of Education in Finland

The Trade Union of Education in Finland is the labour market organisation that protects the interests of all professionals in the education, training and research sector, from early childhood education to higher education. OAJ serves as the professional interest organisation for its membership while also exerting a strong influence on educational and labour market policies.

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Tehtävä ja toiminta

Our task is to safeguard the legal status of those working in the field. We endeavour to improve the financial and social status of our members as well as their working conditions. We have a powerful regional organisation with local associations and shop stewards.

OAJ is the union for teachers within early childhood education, comprehensive schools, general upper secondary schools, vocational institutes, universities of applied sciences, basic education in the arts and non-formal adult education, for directors and rectors of schools and educational institutions, directors of education and other professionals in education; as well as for other teaching and research personnel. Our membership also includes teacher students and retired teachers.

Who can join

You can join us by becoming a member in a local association or their sub-associations. We have nearly 300 local associations. The membership requires that you are employed as a wage-earner in the field of education, training or research. You can become a member if
• you work as a teacher or in corresponding duties within the education, training and research sector
• you have the qualification to serve as a teacher and a valid employment relationship at the time of application
• you do not have the qualification to serve as a teacher but you are primarily working in an employment relationship for a whole term
• you are engaged in tasks related to teaching and education, including administration, planning or research.

Join as student member

Join as member

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