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National Initiatives Concerning Qualifications Frameworks- Finland
Source: National Board of Education
Vocational Qualifications and Their Certification
Vocational Upper Secondary Education and Training
Vocational upper secondary schools award vocational qualifications (Finnish ammatillinen perustutkinto, Swedish yrkesinriktad grundexamen). The completion of a vocational qualification takes 3 years and gives eligibility for higher education.
Instruction is given in multi-field or specialised vocational schools, but it may be organised in the form of apprenticeship training combining learning at the workplace and theoretical studies at a vocational institution. The vocational qualifications can also be taken as competence-based qualifications with the same vocational skill and knowledge requirements but independent of formal education and training.
Vocational education and training is governed by the Vocational Education Act (630/1998) and Decree (811/1998). To be entitled to award vocational qualifications, an education provider must have a licence granted by the Ministry of Education, which determines the fields of study, total number of students, the provider’s educational duties, etc.
The upper secondary vocational qualifications yield extensive basic vocational skills for various assignments in their field and, in addition, more specialised expertise in one sector of the qualification. This enables the qualification holders to find placements in working life, to perform various tasks in their field even in changing conditions, and to develop their vocational skills throughout their lives.
Vocational education and training covers seven sectors: natural resources; technology and transport; business and administration; tourism, catering and home economics; health and social services; culture; and leisure and physical education. In all, there are 52 vocational qualifications divided into 113 study programmes.
The vocational study programmes consist of 120 credits (one year of full-time study equals 40 credits): 90 credits of vocational studies including relevant on-the-job training, 20 credits of general studies (languages, mathematics, science, etc.) and 10 credits of free-choice studies. At least 20 credits of on-the-job training must be included in the vocational studies as well as a final project of at least 2 credits.
The Ministry of Education decides on the structure of the vocational qualifications. The National Board of Education issues the national core curricula and qualifications guidelines, determining the objectives, core contents and assessment criteria of the studies. The core curricula are dealt with by tripartite training committees, which are expert bodies established under the Ministry of Education to advise in planning and developing vocational education and training.
Vocational Adult Education and Training
Qualifications in vocational adult education and training are mainly taken in the form of competence-based qualifications.
The competence-based qualifications system came into force in 1994, and competence tests have been arranged since then. The system has been developed in close cooperation between teachers and representatives of working life. The system aims to maintain and enhance the vocational skills of the adult population, to equip adults to engage in an occupation as self-employed people, to develop working life, to promote employment and to support lifelong learning.
Competence-based qualifications include further vocational qualifications (ammattitutkinto), which demonstrate the vocational skills required of skilled workers, and specialist vocational qualifications (erikoisammattitutkinto), which demonstrate a command of the most demanding tasks in the field. In addition to these, vocational qualifications (ammatillinen perustutkinto) may also be taken in the form of competence-based qualifications. Vocational qualifications taken in the form of competence-based qualifications correspond to the qualifications taken in vocational upper secondary education and training.
Adults may demonstrate their vocational skills in competence tests regardless of how and where they have acquired the skills. Although taking part in competence tests does not require formal preparation, many participants participate in preparatory training to rectify gaps in vocational skills learnt at work and to enhance vocational skills. The students participating in preparatory training are provided with individual learning programs.
Since the beginning of 1999, competence-based qualifications have been regulated by the Act (Laki ammatillisesta aikuiskoulutuksesta 631/1998) and Decree (Asetus ammatillisesta aikuiskoulutuksesta 812/1998) on Vocational Adult Education.
The Ministry of Education decides which qualifications are to be included in the qualifications structure. The qualifications structure is revised annually according to changes in working life and to feedback obtained from the world of business. At present, there are 357 qualifications (175 of them further vocational qualifications and 129 specialist vocational qualifications) included in the structure.
The requirements for the competence-based qualifications are specified and confirmed by the National Board of Education. The modules of the qualification, the vocational skills required in the qualification and the assessment criteria are determined by the requirements.
Qualification Committees are responsible for arranging and supervising the competence tests. The National Board of Education appoints the members of the Qualification Committees from among experts in each sector. The body organising the preparatory training decides on the contents of the training for the competence-based qualifications. The instruction is planned and the syllabuses are drawn up in the form of modules according to the requirements of the competence-based qualifications.
In 2001, more than 37 000 adults took part in competence tests, and in 2002 the number of participants in competence tests is expected to be around 46000.
Certification of Qualifications
Certification in vocational education and training and the content of the certificate are regulated by the National Board of Education and governed by the Vocational Education Act (Laki ammatillisesta koulutuksesta 630/1998) and the Vocational Adult Education Act (Laki ammatillisesta aikuiskoulutuksesta 631/1998). Passed performances are graded on the scale excellent (5), good (4 or 3) and satisfactory (2 or 1).
Institutional Vocational Education and Training
Students are awarded a qualification certificate (tutkintotodistus/examensbetyg) upon the completion of all the studies required for the qualification.
A student resigning without completing the vocational qualification is given a certificate of resignation (erotodistus/skiljebetyg), which lists the completed studies and their grades. On request, students may also be granted a certificate of completed studies while still continuing the programme.
The certificates are awarded by the education provider / vocational institution.
Competence-based Qualification System
Students are awarded the qualification certificate (tutkintotodistus/examensbetyg) upon the completion of all the required qualification modules. On request, students may also be granted a certificate for each passed module.
The certificates of competence-based qualifications are awarded by representatives of the Qualification Committee and the body that arranges the competence tests.
Apprenticeship Training System
Students are awarded two certificates:
The certificate of participation in training is given by the education provider. The assessments of the employer and the institution organising the theoretical education are included in the certificate. The qualification certificate is given by the provider of education or, if the certification is based on the competence-based system, by the Qualification Committee.
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