Ammattiopetus

Ammattiopetus refers to vocational education and training (VET) in Finland, part of the national education system designed to equip learners with practical skills for specific trades and professions. It culminates in nationally recognized qualifications, most commonly the vocational basic qualification (ammatillinen perustutkinto) and, at a higher level, the specialist vocational qualification (erikoisammattitutkinto).

The main route is upper secondary VET (ammatillinen koulutus), typically completed in about three years for a full-time student. It combines classroom instruction with work-based learning and on-the-job training, including apprenticeship arrangements (oppisopimuskoulutus). Instruction is provided by vocational institutes (ammattioppilaitokset) and, increasingly, by workplaces in cooperation with schools. Provision and funding are coordinated regionally through Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY-keskukset) and the TE services.

The basic vocational qualification (ammatillinen perustutkinto) is typically 180 competence points (credits) and prepares graduates for entry-level work in a chosen field. After gaining work experience, individuals may pursue the specialist vocational qualification (erikoisammattitutkinto) to deepen expertise, or continue studies at universities of applied sciences (ammattikorkeakoulut) for broader professional options.

Policy and trends: Vocational education emphasizes work-based learning, relevance to labor market needs, and lifelong learning. Ongoing reforms aim to increase flexibility, strengthen ties with employers, boost digital competencies, and create smoother pathways from VET to higher education and employment.