For learning and competence VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN FINLAND Lauri Kurvonen Helsinki

2 For learning and competence 1) An additional 10 th year is voluntary giving pupils an opportunity to improve their grades and clarify their career plans. 2) Vocational upper secondary education and training is arranged in vocational schools (including at least six months of on-the-job learning) and in the form of apprenticeship training. Adults can obtain vocational upper secondary qualifications also in competence tests. 3) The Ministry of Education has granted permission to a number of polytechnics for trial post-graduate degree programmes for UNIVERSITIE S SCHOOL YEARS AGE PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION CompulsoryCompulsory educationeducation BASIC EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCE WORK EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FURTHER VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS POLYTECHNIC S VOCATIONAL UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION and TRAINING GENERAL UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF FINLAND 1) 2) 3)

3 Osaamisen ja sivistyksen asialla Vocational Qualifications in Finland Initial vocational qualifications Curriculum based education Competence-based qualifications Further vocational qualifications Specialist vocational qualifications

For learning and competence CURRICULUM BASED EDUCATION

5 For learning and competence General Objectives of Vocational Education and Training  knowledge and skills necessary for vocational competence and (self-)employment  knowledge and skills needed in further studies and in life-long learning  support for personal growth and citizenship

6 For learning and competence The Curricular System of Vocational Education and Training  qualification-specific national core curriculum (NBE)  education provider’s curriculum based on the national core curricula  more detailed, enables adapting to local needs  student’s personal study plans

7 For learning and competence Sectors and qualifications 1. Natural Resources 5 Vocational qualifications 2. Technology and Transport 26 Vocational qualifications 3. Business and Administration 2 Vocational qualifications 4. Tourism, Catering and Home Economics 5 Vocational qualifications 5. Health and Social Services 5 Vocational qualifications 6. Culture 5 Vocational qualifications 7. Leisure and Physical Education 4 Vocational qualifications

8 For learning and competence Composition of studies in the vocational qualifications (3 years = 120 credits)  Vocational studies90 credits – field-specific – study-programme specific – includes 20 credits (minimum) of – on-the-job training  Core subjects20 credits  Free-choice studies10 credits

For learning and competence COMPETENCE-BASED QUALIFICATIONS

10 For learning and competence The Education System of Finland Universities Pre-school education Basic Education Upper secondary schools, Matriculation examination Vocational education Post-graduate degrees Doctor’s Licentiate’s Academic degrees Master’s Bachelor’s Further polytechnic degrees Polytechnic degrees Specialist vocational qualifications Further vocational qualifications Polytechnics (AMK institutions ) Competence-based qualifications

11 For learning and competence ADULT EDUCATION IN FINLAND 1/3  Provided by about 1000 educational institutions  Annual number of students about one million, amounting to every other adult  Direct budgetary funding accounts for 14% of the estimates of expenditure of the Ministry of Education  Open provision of studies constituting a part of certificate- oriented programmes

12 For learning and competence ADULT EDUCATION IN FINLAND 2/3  In the course of the 1990s it was developed a new system of competence-based qualifications designed for the adult population  The system has been regulated since 1999 by Act (631/1998) and Decree (812/1998)  Variously obtained professional skills are allowed to be demonstrated in tests of competence independent of education

13 For learning and competence ADULT EDUCATION IN FINLAND 3/3  Preparatory training for competence-based examinations  Apprenticeship training  Additional and supplementary training to update, extend and vocational competence

14 For learning and competence LEVELS OF QUALIFICATIONS  INITIAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION –THE BASIC SKILLS OF THE PROFESSIONAL SECTION (THE SAME QUALIFICATION THE YOUNG PEOPLE ACQUIRE IN THREE-YEARS PROGRAMMES)  FURTHER VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION –SKILLED WORKER, PROFESSIONAL OF THE SECTION (BASIC VOCATIONAL TRAINING+ADDITIONAL STUDIES+ THREE YEARS’ WORK EXPERIENCE)  SPECIALIST VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION –THE MOST DEMANDING TASKS OF THE SECTION (BASIC VOCATIONAL TRAINING+ADDITIONAL STUDIES+FIVE YEARS’ WORK EXPERIENCE)

15 For learning and competence STRUCTURES OF COMPETENCE-BASED QUALIFICATION SYSTEM  QUALIFICATION TITLES (340) –Ministry of Education  NATIONAL REQUIREMENTS (320) –National Board of Education –Educational committees (31)

16 For learning and competence NUMBER OF QUALIFICATION PARTICIPANTS IN

17 For learning and competence NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN 2001  BASIC VOCATIONAL %  FURTHER VOCATIONAL %  SPECIALIST VOCATIONAL %  TOTAL %

18 For learning and competence 1. the Finnish education portal information in Finnish, Swedish and English 2. National Board of Education information in Finnish, Swedish and English 3. The Finnish National Reference Point for Vocational Qualifications