Founded 1935 Website www.sefe.fi | Country Finland | |
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Full name The Finnish Association of Business School Graduates Native name Suomen Ekonomiliitto
Finlands Ekonomförbund Key people Aija Bärlund
Timo Saranpää, president | ||
Finnish Association of Business School Graduates SEFE (Finnish: Suomen Ekonomiliitto SEFE, Swedish: Finlands Ekonomförbund) founded in 1935, is a central organization for graduates and students in economics and business administration. SEFE consists of 25 regional associations and 13 student societies. SEFE has nearly 50,000 members,graduate members and over 15,000 students. Our graduate members from Finnish universities have a B.Sc. (Econ. Bus. & Adm.) or M.Sc. (Econ. Bus. & Adm.) degree. Applications from foreign university graduates are assessed individually. A member must have at least academic Bachelors (eq. BA, BSc) level degree in business studies. Many of our members are working outside Finland. SEFE attempts to improve the success of its members as individuals. To do so, SEFE implements several services concerning educational, professional, social issues and labour market conditions, and always according to the needs of the members. On behalf of its members SEFE negotiates and concludes collective agreements concerning salaries and conditions of employment. SEFE is the fourth biggest affiliate of Akava - Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland .
Contents
History
From the 1924 onwards small business school graduate associations and societies were founded to the largest cities in Finland. SEFEs predecessor was the Swedish Business School (Hanken) alumni association Ekonomföreningen Niord. The follower, Ekonomiyhdistys ry, was founded in 1935. In 1951, 10 associations joined together to create Ekonomiliitto, the Finnish Association of Business School Graduates. In 1973, members and associations of the Swedish speaking Ekonomförbund rf joined the umbrella organization. In the beginning, the main function of the associations was to convey job opportunities to graduated members. It was all about networking and socializing. Later on, the functions have evolved towards wider approach on issues regarding employment relations; Salary surveys, legal advice, career guidance and training.
SEFEs social policy and labour market representation Finnish employment relation model is based on relatively high level of collective bargaining in relation to local wage settlements. For the white collar workers, collective bargaining in the Finnish model is based on strong professional unions and their collaborations. The main interest representation function of SEFE is to produce and negotiate industry level collective bargaining agreements together with other unions in AKAVA and collective negotiation organizations.
SEFEs policy is to guarantee decent wage development throughout the industry, ensure proper conditions in employment contracts and promote wellbeing at the workplace. Promoting equality and the general knowledge of labour market development among members and the public is also essential. The education policy of SEFE occurs in coordination with universities, member organizations, student organizations, social organizations and political parties. The goal is to maintain the esteem and quality of business education at the academic level and the graduates’ expertise.
The Organisation
Federal assembly holds the highest quorum in the decision making of SEFE. It convenes at least twice in a year. Members to the assembly are selected by member organizations. SEFEs board consists of 9-12 members and they are responsible for the planning, monitoring and important decisions regarding SEFE. Term of office for the members of the board is 2 years. The student representative in the board changes yearly. The acting chairman of the board is Timo Saranpää. Executive director is Aija Bärlund and the director lobby and interest representation is Lotta Savinko.