ammatillisia

Ammatillisia is a term used in Finland to refer to vocational education and training, including the vocational qualifications that are awarded through the system. It describes both the education pathways and the qualifications designed to prepare people for the labor market and for further studies. The concept is central to the Finnish secondary education structure, offering alternatives to general upper secondary education.

Ammatillinen koulutus is organized as the second stage of education after basic comprehensive school. It is provided by vocational institutions and other providers and emphasizes practical skills and work-based learning. Students often participate in a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and learning in real work environments through mechanisms such as apprenticeships (oppisopimus) or work placements. The duration of a basic vocational qualification typically spans about two to three years, depending on the field and the chosen path.

There are several types of ammatillisia qualifications. The most common is the ammatillinen perustutkinto (basic vocational qualification), which leads to a recognized skilled profession. Other forms include erikoisammattitutkinto (specialist vocational qualification) and its components, which allow for deeper expertise in a chosen field. Qualifications are composed of tutkinnon osat (parts of the qualification) that can be completed in school settings, in workplaces, or through blended delivery.

Graduates of ammatillisia qualifications gain direct access to many jobs within their field and may also pursue higher education, for example at universities of applied sciences or, in some cases, universities, depending on the program and admission requirements. The system is overseen at the national level but implemented locally by municipalities and education providers, with ongoing reforms to emphasize flexibility, competency-based assessment, and lifelong learning.