For learning and competence
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN FINLAND
Lauri Kurvonen 13.9.2007Helsinki
2 For learning and competence
1) An additional 10th 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 2002-2005.
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4
3
2
1
UNIVERSITIES
4
3
2
1
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
3
2
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SCHOOL YEARS
AGE
PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION
Compulsory
education
BASIC EDUCATION
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
WORK EXPERIENCE
WORKEXPERIENCE
SPECIALIST VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
FURTHER VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
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2
1
POLYTECHNICS
VOCATIONALUPPER SECONDARYEDUCATION and TRAINING
GENERAL UPPERSECONDARY EDUCATION
THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF FINLAND
1)
2)
3)
3 Osaamisen ja sivistyksen asialla
Vocational Qualifications in Finland
Initial vocational qualifications
Curriculum basededucation Competence-based
qualifications
Further vocational
qualifications
Specialistvocational
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 Resources5 Vocational qualifications
2. Technology and Transport26 Vocational qualifications
3. Business and Administration2 Vocational qualifications
4. Tourism, Catering and Home Economics5 Vocational qualifications
5. Health and Social Services5 Vocational qualifications
6. Culture5 Vocational qualifications
7. Leisure and Physical Education4 Vocational qualifications
8 For learning and competence
Composition of studies in the vocational qualifications (3 years = 120 credits)
Vocational studies 90 credits– field-specific
– study-programme specific
– includes 20 credits (minimum) of
– on-the-job training
Core subjects 20 credits
Free-choice studies 10 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-graduatedegreesDoctor’s
Licentiate’s
Academic degreesMaster’s
Bachelor’s
Further polytechnic
degrees
Polytechnic degrees
Specialistvocational
qualifications
Further vocational
qualifications
Polytechnics(AMK institutions)
Competence-basedqualifications
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 1995-2002
05000
10000150002000025000
30000350004000045000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
17 For learning and competence
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN 2001
BASIC VOCATIONAL 11 000 30 %
FURTHER VOCATIONAL 22 500 61 %
SPECIALIST VOCATIONAL 3 500 9 %
TOTAL 37 000 100 %
18 For learning and competence
1. www.edu.fi the Finnish education portal information in Finnish, Swedish and English2. www.oph.fi National Board of Education information in Finnish, Swedish and English3. www.oph.fi/info/recognition The Finnish National Reference Point for Vocational Qualifications