Vocational education and training (VET) in Finland: Vocational education and training (VET) in Finland Mirja Hannula 2.6.2007 Bratislava


Content of presentation: Content of presentation Introduction Educational system and VET in Finland Cooperation of the employers and vocational institutes


Finland: Finland Population: 5.3 million The Economy in 2005, Finland's GNP per capita was around 30 800 euros. Exports: electrical and optical equipment (28%) metal products, machinery and transport equipment (31.1%) wood and paper products (20.3%) Imports: Finnish industry is particularly dependent on imports of raw materials, machinery and components that it needs for manufacturing products for both domestic and export markets.


Slide4: Elinkeinoelämän keskusliitto Finlands Näringsliv Confederation of Finnish Industries 4 EK/Eng/shs11.2004


EK represents: EK represents The entire private sector and companies of all sizes 35 branch associations About 16,000 member companies, of which 96% are SMEs Over 70% of Finland’s GDP Over 95% of Finland’s exports About 950,000 employees Unparalleled knowledge and information of Finnish business


Slide6: Work experience Compulsory schooling Specialist vocational qualifications Further vocational qualifications Work experience Basic education Preschool Matriculation examination Upper secondary school Vocational qualifications Vocational schools and apprenticeship training Master’s degrees Barcelor’s degrees Universities Doc. Lic. Bachelor polytechnic degrees Polytechnics Polytechnic postgraduate degrees 10 Work Experience (min. 3 years) Finnish Education system 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 7 14 13 9 12 10 11 8 15 16 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 3 Age


Predicted educational structure for recruiting in EK member companies (total) in 2005: Predicted educational structure for recruiting in EK member companies (total) in 2005 *includes those being recruited for apprenticeship training or vocational training Source: 'Skilled personnel for business', EK 2005


Educational level of population 200320 – 64 –years olds: Educational level of population 2003 20 – 64 –years olds Source: Statistics Finland, Educational institution statistics 2004


Reasons for recruiting difficulties in EK member companies: Reasons for recruiting difficulties in EK member companies % of companies suffering from recruiting difficulties Source: Labour release 2005, EK


Vocational education and training (VET) in Finland: Vocational education and training (VET) in Finland The Ministry of Education grants an authorisation to provide vocational education. The Government decides on the general goals of vocational education and training, the structure of qualifications, and the core subjects. The Finnish National Board of Education provides the national core curricula defining the goals and core contents of studies. The national core curricula are dealt with by tripartite expert bodies, National Education and Training Committees, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Education for the planning and development of vocational education. Based on these, educational providers draw up their own curricula. Education providers also have expert bodies, consultative committees, which participate in the planning and development of education at the local level.


VET in Finland : VET in Finland Vocational upper secondary education and training is based on the basic education syllabus. A three-year vocational upper secondary qualification gives general eligibility for higher education in both polytechnics and universities. There are 52 vocational upper secondary qualifications and 116 study programmes in them. A vocational qualification can be obtained either through school-based education or in the form of apprenticeship training.


Characteristics of VET: Characteristics of VET 'The purpose of vocational education and training is to enhance the population's vocational competence, develop working life, meet the competence needs of working life and promote employment (Vocational Education and Training Act 630/1998, Section 2) The qualifications give comprehensive basic skills for working in the field and more specialized skills in one sector. On-the-job learning in work places is an importat part of studies. Starting in 2006, a vocational skills demonstration in the form of a competence test is included in vocational qualifications as proof of having reached the goals given to vocational studies.


The content of VET studies: The content of VET studies Learning outcomes approach in education and training system The scope of a vocational qualification is 120 credits / 3 years. 90 credits of vocational studies including at least 20 credits of on-the-job learning that supports the studies, 10 credits of free-choice studies and 20 credits of core subjects The core subjects required in all vocational studies are: the mother tongue, second national language, a foreign language, mathematics, physics and chemistry, social studies, entrepreneurship and workplace studies, physical and health education, arts and cultural studies.


On-the-job learning as a learning method: On-the-job learning as a learning method On-the-job learning is guided, focused and assessed training in compliance with the educational objectives determined in the curriculum implemented in a genuine working environment based on a written contract between the education providern and the workplace the contracts specify the tasks and responsibilities of the parties concerned, the goals, core contents, assessmentn of the students preformance, duration and timing of the studies


Tasks of Instuctor at the workplace: Tasks of Instuctor at the workplace plans the training periods with teacher and organises the work to promote learning guides and advices the student on occupationinal safety teaches the student the modes of operation in the workplace discussess with the student and gives feed back during period take part to the evaluation discussion with the student and the teacher


Successful traineeship / student placement: Successful traineeship / student placement Close cooperation between enterprise, teacher and student Clear profile and position with the opportunity to learn and grow Clear agreements, objectives and schedules Task evaluation and performance assessment linked with development advice On-the-job instructors training to guide and advice students


Improving the Quality of VET: Improving the Quality of VET Employers have welcomed the max 6 months of on-the-job training (exists since 1998) and skills demonstarations Tripartitie co-operation companies increased involvement in VET should improve the quality of the qualifications to meet the needs of working life teachers deeper knowledge of skills needs in working life


Opportunities for employers: Opportunities for employers Companies can pick the best graduates to ensure future labour force Companies can influence development of VET curricula by participating voc. Institutions committee work Goal of cooperation is better skills of the graduatets!


Apprenticeship training in adult education: Apprenticeship training in adult education based on an employment agreement (apprenticeship contract) between the student and the employer, confirmed by the education provider. Competence-based qualifications vocational upper secondary qualifications further vocational qualifications specialist vocational qualifications A vocational qualification can be obtained through a competence test administered by a qualification committee.