EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE IN FINLAND Petri Sotarauta

EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE IN FINLAND

Petri Sotarauta

PRESENTATION AIMS AT INTRODUCING

• Finnish education and training system

• Finnish labour administration

• Educational and vocational guidance and counselling as well as career planning services in Finland

• Clients, cooperation networks and professionals in the field of guidance and counselling in Finland

19.04.233 Petri Sotarauta

19.04.23 Petri Sotarauta4

FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING POLICY

MAIN GOALS ARE TO

- ensure a high level of education and training to all citizens- promote the well-being of citizens- ensure that skills required by a changing environment are

available in the society ________________________________________________

- all citizens entitled to basic general education in Finland- instruction given in Finnish and Swedish- available also in Sámi, sign language and Romany


FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

- all children entitled to voluntary pre-school education one year before compulsory education

- provided by day-care centres or in connection with compulsory schools

- to improve childrens´s learning abilities and to encourage their independence



COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS

- compulsory education begins at the age of 7

- comprehensive school (primary and lower secondary education) lasts nine years

- more than 50 % of those completing comprehensive school go to upper secondary education and almost 40 % to vocational training

- voluntary education available for those having completed comprehensive school, but not secured a further study place

- basic education provides pupils with skills and knowledge necessary in life



UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

- no grade levels -> students make their own individual study plan based on

- available course supply and - maximum time allowed for completing studies

- curriculum consists of 75 courses (i.e. compulsory, optional specialisation and applied courses), each consisting of 38 lessons

- courses from vocational schools can be included in the curriculum- national matriculation examination is eligibility criterion for all

post-secondary education (i.e. universities and polytechnics)



VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

- provides young people with a vocational qualification in all branches leading to an independent profession

- training is developed in cooperation with trade and industry and it consists of modules- all studies include at least six months of on-the-job training- admission to higher education possible after completed studies in

vocational training- apprenticeship training and competence-based qualifications

available for young people and adults



POLYTECHNICS / UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED SCIENCES

- non-university higher education with professional orientation- study time 3,5 – 4 years to complete degree programmes- provide Bachelor’s degrees but also post-graduate degrees

UNIVERSITIES

- provide lower and higher academic degrees as well as post- graduate degrees of a licentiate and a doctorate



ADMISSION TO UPPER SECONDARY AND HIGHEREDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

- joint application system the primary way to apply for admission to upper secondary schools, vocational schools, folk high schools, and polytechnics

- selection based on school certificates and grades- aptitude tests can be used- completion of upper secondary education qualification gives

eligibility for higher education



ADULT EDUCATION SYSTEM

LIBERAL AND GENERAL EDUCATION- folk high schools, study centres, summer universities, physical education centres- general upper secondary education designed for adult needs: a whole qualification or only specific subjects

VOCATIONAL TRAINING- self-motivated training, labour market training, in-service training and apprenticeship training


FINNISH LABOUR ADMINISTRATION

OVERALL GOALS are to- improve the functioning of the labour market- develop working life organisations- advance employment and integration of immigrants

STRATEGIC GOALS are to- reduce structural unemployment- ensure availability of skilled labour- enhance labour productivity- form a basis for active labour immigration policy- promote entrepreneurship and self-employment


THREE-TIER ORGANISATION OF FINNISH LABOUR ADMINISTRATION

Ministry of Employment and Economy

Labour Market Departments of Employment

and Economic Development Centres (15)

Employment offices (101)

- employment exchange

- services for development of vocational skills

- measures to promote employment and

advice on employment benefits


FINNISH GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SYSTEM

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS


VOCATIONAL COLLEGES

POLYTECHNICS

UNIVERSITIES


EMPLOYMENT OFFICES

Vocational guidance and career planning

Educational and vocational information services

Employment exchange services

CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY CIMO

Euroguidance Finland

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING AT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS- national curriculum: goals for guidance and counselling for forms

1-2, 3-6, and 7-9- guidance covers study skills, self-knowledge, further education

and training options, occupations and working life, including 1-2 week work experience for pupils at upper stage of compre-hensive school

- individual, small group and classroom guidance available- school counsellors are trained comprehensive school teachers with

specialisation studies in guidance and counselling




- curriculum includes one compulsory and one optional course of guidance, both consisting of 38 hrs

- guidance covers planning of study programme, learning techniques, self-knowledge, further education, occupations and work

- guidance counsellors are trained teachers with supplementary training in guidance and counselling

- guidance counsellors, group advisers and teachers are all involved in guidance and counselling



VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

- guidance provides students with individual support in studies, career planning and finding employment

- school counsellors are trained teachers with a specialisation in guidance and counselling

- guidance is usually integrated into teaching in classes, also personal and small group guidance available to students

- careers service to help students enter the labour market



BASIC AND GENERAL UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION OF ADULTS

- goal is to give adults a varied general education and an opportunity to complete their unfinished studies

- guidance focuses on designing personal curricula, developing study skills, selecting relevant subjects

- individual, small group guidance and web-tutoring available



POLYTECHNICS

- comprehensive guidance and counselling system for planning of studies, career planning, work placements, international exchange opportunities

- career services unit in all polytechnics offers services to students and employers

- information about careers, recruitment and job exchange at http://www.jobstep.net



UNIVERSITIES- general student counselling for students enrolled in universities

and for those seeking admittance to them

- special office for student guidance: information about studies

- faculties/institutes: student affairs secretary, academic and other staff members responsible for tutoring and advising

- career services unit in all universities offers services to students and employers (practical training, jobs, career guidance)

- website of the Academic Career Services network: http://www.aarresaari.net (services for students and employers)


http://www.aarresaari.net/

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING AT EMPLOYMENT OFFICES

VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE & CAREER PLANNING SERVICES

- available for all young people and adults free of charge

- vocational guidance psychologists help clients with career choice, professional development and employment-> personal and small group guidance to clients-> psychological tests can be used

- demand for these services has increased considerably



EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL INFORMATION SERVICES

- information to all clients about education, training, occupations and working life as well as about studying and training opportunities abroad

- education and training advisors answer clientsinquiries face-to-face, by phone and by email

- information services include web-based information system, collection of publications, guidebooks, brochures, videos about education, training and occupations

- national telephone helpline: Koulutuslinja



EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

- help job-seekers to find work and employers to find employees

- employment consultants work either at the information desk, job-centre, basic services or so-called specialised services

- group training in job seeking given by employment consultants e.g. methods, channels, evaluation of own strengths and skills



VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

- for people with disabilities

- include vocational guidance and career planning, guidance in employment and rehabilitation

- can include health and aptitude tests, and other support measures

- includes always individual guidance and counselling

- provided by specialist employment advisers and vocational guidance psychologists



GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING FOR IMMIGRANTS

- immigrants residing permanently in Finland entitled to sameservices in employment offices as Finns

- employment consultants specialised in serving immigrants at the larger offices

- personal integration plan for unemployed immigrants



EURES – European Employment Services

- EURES network consists of EU27, Norway and Iceland

- EURES advisers responsible for guidance, information and employment exchanges for those seeking work in another European country

- forum for employers to advertise vacancies and to recruit employees

- EURES database contains information about working and living conditions in different countries

- information at http://www.mol.fi/eures19.04.23 Petri Sotarauta27


LABOUR MARKET TRAINING

- primarily for unemployed people- for young and adult in transitional periods - free of charge, financial support available - training can include guidance and counselling, language training- consists mainly of initial vocational training, vocational re-training,

further or continuing training- organised by vocational adult education centres, higher education

institutions etc


CHALLENGES TO GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

- SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE emphasised in all sectors of society-> development of citizens’ career management skills-> increase accessibility of the services-> development of career guidance quality assurance systems-> basic and continuing training of guidance practitioners-> guidance at transitional periods-> personal study plans at higher education-> guidance and counselling of adults


CONTACT INFORMATION

Head of Department Petri Sotarauta

Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy WinNovaP.O. Box 49, FI-23801 Laitila

Tel. 044 455 8446E-mail [email protected]


Documents

EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE IN FINLAND Petri Sotarauta