Finnish

vet in finland

vet
in a
nutshell
 VET provides
skills for both
life and work.

2 Finnish VET in a nutshell

 Education system in Finland

Doctoral degrees
Licenciate degrees
8

Universities

Polytechnic masters degrees

11.5
Masters degrees
7

Polytechnics
2

Universities
Work experience 3 years

Polytechnic

3.54
Bachelors degrees
bachelors degrees
3
6

Universities
Polytechnics

Specialist vocational
4

Work qualifications*
experience Further vocational
qualifications*

Matriculation examination Vocational qualifications*

3

General upper secondary Vocational institutions

3

schools *Also available as apprenticeship training

Voluntary additional year

of basic education

Basic education
1&2

716-year-olds
9

Comprehensive schools

Pre-primary education 6-year-olds

1
0
05

Early childhood education and care

isced-

duration
in years

duration
in years
classification

isced-classification 2011
0 Early childhood education
1 Primary education
2 Lower secondary education
3 Upper secondary education
4 Post-secondary non-tertiary education
5 Short cycle tertiary education
6 Bachelor or equivalent
7 Master or equivalent
8 Doctor or equivalent
Contents

Vocational competences for a

changing world 6
Skills for both life and work 6
Education is publicly funded and free of
charge 7
An education system based on trust and
shared responsibility 8

VET is an attractive choice 10

High regard for VET 10
Flexible provision close cooperation
with working life 11
Open pathways from VET to higher and
further education 11
VET provides strong employment
prospects 12
International cooperation and mobility
are encouraged 12
Skills competitions develop the quality
of VET 13

Competence and flexibility 14

Emphasis on the learning outcomes-based
approach and work orientation 14
Individual learning pathways add
flexibility 15
Flexibility supports completing the
studies 16
Equity, support and maximising
potential 17

Effectiveness and quality main

responsibility lies with education
providers 19

Vocational teachers are respected

professionals 21
Close connection to working life 21
In-service training maintains up-to-date
competence 22

 VET is
developed
in close
cooperation
with the
world of work.

6 Finnish VET in a nutshell

Vocational competences for a changing world 7
8 Finnish VET in a nutshell
Education
providers
play a key
role in
delivering
education.

Vocational competences for a changing world 9

 VET is an attractive
choice

10 Finnish VET in a nutshell

VET is an attractive choice 11
12 Finnish VET in a nutshell
VET is an attractive choice 13
 Competence and
flexibility

14 Finnish VET in a nutshell

 Finnish VET
is based
on work
orientation
and a learning
outcomes-
based
approach.

Competence and flexibility 15

 Previously
acquired
competences
are recognised
and validated.

16 Finnish VET in a nutshell

 Equity, support and
maximising potential

Finland has a
regional VET
provision
with good
national
coverage.

Equity, support and maximising potential 17

18 Finnish VET in a nutshell
 Effectiveness and
quality main
responsibility lies with
education providers

The funding
of VET
includes
a quality
assurance
perspective.

Effectiveness and quality main responsibility lies

with education providers 19
20 Finnish VET in a nutshell
Vocational teachers are
respected professionals

Vocational teachers are respected professionals 21

22 Finnish VET in a nutshell
 Graphic design: Hahmo Photos: Antero Aaltonen, Olli Hkmies, Esko Koivisto Printed in: Grano Oy, Espoo, 2015 ISBN: 978-952-13-6043-5
series published by
VET in Finland

24 Finnish VET in a nutshell