Future is Full of Possibilities Vocational Education in Finland Education System in Finland Initial vocational education is provided in vocational colleges or in the form of apprenticeship training. The completion of 120-credit vocational qualifications Key Figures takes 3 years, two years for 19+ students. A three- Full-time students 5600 year VQ yields eligibility for all forms of higher 5 education. The VQ can also be taken as a competence- 4 4 Apprentices 1300 based examination evaluated by an examination board. 3 3 Adult students 1600 Universities Polytechnic 2 2 Staff 1150 The vocational education is practice-oriented and 1 1 19yrs Study Programmes 70 includes a 20-credit or roughly six-month period of Fields of Study 7 learning at work. Locations 10 This involves training at workplaces which is an 3 3 integral part of study programmes. Our students may Upper Vocational participate in international projects, and it is also 2 secondary education 2 school possible to take learning-at-work periods abroad. 1 1 16yrs Facts about Finland Population 5 200 000 Structure of Curriculum 120 credits Capital Helsinki • Basic Vocational studies 9 Official • Core subjects 8 languages Finnish, Swedish • Specialized studies 7 Independent since 6 December 1917 • Optional studies 6 Member of EU since 1995 Basic education • Work-based learning Compulsory 5 President Ms Tarja Halonen education 4 Currency Euro 3 Lakes 188 000 2 1 7yrs Pre- school education in schools or children`s day care centers (kindergartens) Cooperation and For more information, Technology, Communication, International Networks please contact Transport and Culture Kuopio, Siilinjärvi, Juankoski, Leppävirta, • Several partner institutions in Europe Suonenjoki, Varkaus • Work-based learning abroad Business and Administration e-mail: [email protected] • Student and trainee exchange Kuopio, Iisalmi, Varkaus Tel. +358 44 785 3311, fax +358 17 214 3202 • Teacher exchange e-mail: [email protected] Presidentinkatu 3, FI-70100 Kuopio, Finland • International cooperation projects with Tel. +358 44 785 4920, fax +358 17 214 4940, educational, economic and industrial life Presidentinkatu 1, FI-70100 Kuopio, Finland Tourism, Catering, Home Economics • Bilateral cooperation and Food Industry • Language and international studies Natural Resources and Environment Kuopio, Juankoski, Suonenjoki, Varkaus • On-line councelling Muuruvesi, Suonenjoki, Siilinjärvi (Toivala), e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected], Tel. +358 44 785 4832, fax +358 17 214 4800, Participation in Tel. +358 44 785 3841, fax +358 17 214 3801, Sammakkolammentie 3, FI-70200 Kuopio, Finland Hietapohjantie 926, FI-73460 Muuruvesi, Finland European Programmes Savo Apprenticeship Training Centre • Leonardo da Vinci Social Services, Health and Sports Kuopio, Varkaus • Comenius Kuopio, Iisalmi, Varkaus e-mail: [email protected] • Nordplus, Nordic Cooperation e-mail: [email protected] Tel. +358 44 785 3063, fax +358 17 214 3060 • Grundtvig Tel.+358 44 785 8774, fax +358 17 214 8764, Puijonkatu 19 A, 5 krs, FI-70100 Kuopio, Finland • National Networks Sairaalakatu 6-8, FI-70110 Kuopio, Finland • Cooperation with Local Education Providers • Networks funded by the National Board Business Units of Education • Membership in International Organisations • Unesco School Best Western Hotel Savonia Sammakkolammentie 2, FI-70200 Kuopio, Finland Tel. + 358 17 255 5100, www.savonia.com Puijo Tower Puijontornintie, FI-70300 Kuopio, Finland Tower restaurant, tel. +358 17 255 5255 Puijo Lodge, tel. +358 17 255 5250 www.puijo.com, [email protected] Finnish Research and Information Center for Fruit Wines, Hietapohjantie 926, FI-73460 Muuruvesi, Finland Tel. +358 17 214 3810, [email protected] Organic Catering Center Jalkalantie 6, FI-77600 Suonenjoki, Finland Tel. +358 17 214 4000 Everything is possible in VET Finland We provide VET • School-Based Education Kuopio • Competence-Based Education • Adult Education and Re-training Helsinki • Apprenticeship Training • Initial Vocational Qualifications • Further Vocational Qualifications • Specialist Vocational Qualifications • Sports Academy, VET for Athletes Our priorities • Life-long Learning • Entrepreneurial Skills • Sustainable Development • VET for Immigrant Students • VET for Students with Special Needs • Employment and Rehabilitation of the Disabled • National and International Partnerships to Develop Quality in VET Savo Consortium for Education Vieremä Sonkajärvi Kiuruvesi Iisalmi Rauta- vaara Varpais- Iisalmi järvi Lapin- lahti A joint municipal board provides Pielavesi Nilsiä Kei- Juan- tele koski Siilin- Juankoski Maaninka järvi vocational education and training Siilinjärvi Te r v o Rissala Toivala Muuruvesi Kaavi Vesanto Kuopio at Savo Vocational College. Tuus- niemi Rauta- Karttula Kuopio lampi Suonenjoki Leppävirta Suonenjoki Leppävirta Heinävesi Pieksämäki Varkaus Pieksämäki Varkaus Pieksänmaa Joroinen North Savo Region Potentials of Our Region Hauki- Savo Vocational College is a regional vocational The focus in economic life emphasizes modern vuori institute located in the heart of the beautiful business, information, welfare and environment lake district in Eastern Finland. Lakes, rich flora technologies. Wood and food production are and hilly countryside are essential characteristics the most important traditional industries. Tourism Savo Vocational College is networking in of the natural beauty of the area. Savo Vocational and service industries play an important role. partnerships and development projects with College arranges vocational and general upper The main export sectors include forest and metal Kuopio University and Savonia University of secondary education and training for compre- industries as well as biotechnology. Applied Sciences. hensive school leavers and adults. It also provides apprenticeship training. In addition, the college is an active partner to local business life. Fields of Study Business and Technology • Clothing Administration and Transport • Upholstery • Chemical Engineering The study programmes provide students with The study programmes provide students with • Laboratory Technology skills needed in a variety of jobs in marketing skills needed in building, process operation, • Paper Industry and customer service, office services and repair, maintenance, assembly, transport, security, • Safety and Security information management, financing and technical design and graphics technology. accounting and business information Vocational qualifications are available in technology. Vocational qualifications are • Construction available in • Technical Design Culture • Business and Administration • Building Maintenance Technology • Business Information Technology • Vehicle Technology The study programmes provide students with • Aircraft Maintenance skills needed in design and production, technical • Logistics design and audiovisual communication. Students • Electrical Engineering and IT work with various materials. Vocational • Graphics Technology qualifications are available in • Metalwork and Machinery • Crafts and Design • Plastics Technology • Audiovisual Communication • Wood Processing Technology • Surface Treatment Technology Natural Resources and Social and Health Care Tourism, Catering and Environment The students can take vocational Home Economics The study programmes provide students with qualifications in The study programmes focus on the production, theoretical and practical skills. Vocational • Social and Health Care; practical nurse marketing and selling of tourism and catering qualifications are available in • Pharmaceutics services and on food products, beverages and • Nature-based Services • Hairdressing and Beauty Care customer services in different businesses. • Eco-system Services The emphasis in the studies is on hospitality, Practical nurses can specialise in emergency • Forestry environmental issues, understanding food • Horticulture care, nursing and care, rehabilitation, children´s technology chain and international activities. • Agriculture and youth care and education, mental health Vocational qualifications are provided in • Floristry and substance abuse welfare work, oral and • Tourism • Berry and Wine Production dental care, care for the elderly or care for • Catering the disabled as well as in customer services • Hotel and Restaurant Services and information management. • Cleaning Services • Food Technology • Household and Consumer Services.