Glossary
Adult education centres (kansalaisopistot, medborgarinstituten). There are 250 adult education centres, which are mainly municipal institutions of adult education that have been established to meet local educational and cultural needs. The centres mainly provide courses in art, foreign languages and practical skills, which do not lead to qualifications. In addition, they also organise social studies and other general subject studies, some additional vocational training courses and basic education. They also organise open university instruction in cooperation with universities.
Apprenticeship training (oppisopimuskoulutus, läroavtalsutbildning). All upper secondary vocational qualifications available at VET institutions may be obtained through apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship training is based on the national core curriculum or the guidelines for the relevant competence-based qualification; either can form the basis of a student's individual learning programme. The practical part of apprenticeship training takes place at the workplace. It is complemented by theoretical studies, which may be arranged at VET institutions, vocational adult education centres or other educational institutions. Approximately 70-80 % of the time is spent in the training workplace with an on-the-job instructor. In addition to initial vocational education and training, apprenticeship training can be applied as (non-qualification oriented) vocational further training for adults.
Bachelor's (kandidaatti, kandidat). The first level academic degree which can be obtained either at the universities or at the polytechnics.
Certificate of apprenticeship training (todistus oppisopimuskoulutuksesta, betyg over läroavtalsutbildning). Certificate awarded after completion of apprenticeship training. The certificate is based on assessments of the trainee's performance by the employer and by the teacher for the theoretical subjects. It indicates the basic curriculum followed and, where relevant, the specialisation, the duration of the training and the average of the marks obtained.
Competence-based qualifications (näyttötutkinnot, fristående yrkesinriktade examina). The system of competence-based qualifications offers the adult population in particular a flexible way to renew and maintain their vocational skills. In competence-based qualifications, vocational skills are demonstrated through competence tests, regardless of whether the skills have been acquired through work experience, studies or other activities. There are three competence-based qualifications: initial vocational qualifications (ammatilliset perustutkinnot, yrkesinriktade grundexamina) (ISCED 3), further vocational qualifications (ammattitutkinnot, yrkesexamina) (ISCED 3) and specialist vocational qualifications (erikoisammattitutkinnot, specialyrkesexamina) (ISCED 4). Further and specialist vocational qualifications can only be taken in competence-based examinations, and they are intended for adults, generally for the gainfully employed population. General subjects (maths, languages, etc.) as such are not tested in competence tests. However, the general subjects which are related to practical skills can be tested.
Education and training providers (koulutuksen järjestäjät, utbildningsanordnare). These are usually local educational authorities who maintain the educational institutions.
European credit transfer system - ECTS (eurooppalainen opintosuoritusten ja arvosanojen siirto- ja kertymisjärjestelmä, europeiska meritöverföringssystemet). The European credit transfer and accumulation system is a student-centred system based on the student workload required to achieve the objectives of a programme; such objectives are preferably specified in terms of the learning outcomes and competences to be acquired. The aim of ECTS is to facilitate the transfer and accumulation of the learning outcomes and competences according to the Bologna process. In ECTS, 60 credits correspond to one year's studies.
Folk high school (kansanopisto, folkhögskola). Institution of adult education operating mainly as a boarding school. Each school promotes self-motivated education of people in such a way as to emphasise its own set of values, ideology and educational objectives. People's high schools offer general programmes, basic and general upper secondary education, initial vocational education leading to qualifications in culture, social care and leisure time, and vocational further training on a full- or part-time basis.
Individual study plan (henkilökohtainen opintosuunnitelma, individuell studieplan). This is prepared for every student and includes study goals, motivations, a course list for each term, career planning, connection of studies and working life, building up of expertise, and international studies or practice.
Initial vocational qualification (ammatillinen perustutkinto, grundexamen). A school-based qualification which takes three years including at least six months of practical training at the workplace. It gives the student eligibility for studies in higher education. It can also be taken through apprenticeship and by demonstrating the skills in competence-based qualification tests.
Joint application system (yhteisvalintajärjestelmä, systemet för gemensam elevansökan). Nationally organised system for applying students to upper secondary education or polytechnics (two different systems). The applicants can choose five priority study lines and, according to their marks, are ranked for different institutions and their study lines.
Licentiate (lisensiaatti, licentiate). Postgraduate programme at the universities. The degrees are mostly lower (total of 180 ECTS credits, approximately three years) or higher (in all 3+2 years, 180 + 90/120 ECTS credits) academic degrees, i.e. bachelor's and master's degrees (both are undergraduate degrees in Finland) or postgraduate degrees, i.e. licentiate (2 years) and doctorate (4 years) degrees.
Master's (maisteri, magister). The second level academic degree which can be obtained either at universities or at polytechnics.
National core curricula (opetussuunnitelmien perusteet, läroplansgrunderna). The national core curricula define the framework of objectives for learning in the schools of the formal education system. They include the objectives for the subjects and their contents. The education provider, usually local educational authorities, and the schools draw up their own curricula within the framework of the national core curriculum. The core curriculum is a mandatory regulation on the basis of which each education provider decides on its own´curriculum.
Polytechnic master's degree, postgraduate polytechnic degree (ammattikorkeakoulun jatkotutkinto, påbyggnadsexamen vid yrkeshögskola). New further degree introduced in 2002 on an experimental basis in 20 polytechnic institutions, following authorisation from the Ministry of Education, for a trial period up to 2005. There is no clearly specified duration of studies because the degree is meant to be taken while working, but it corresponds to 40-60 Finnish credits depending on the field concerned. It is intended for those who have already obtained the polytechnic bachelor's degree or another appropriate degree, and at least three years of subsequent work experience in a related field. The type of education to which the degree will give access has not yet been decided. The decision will be taken based on experience acquired during the experiment.
Polytechnics (ammattikorkeakoulu, yrkeshögskola). Non-university level institution offering multidisciplinary courses for students, usually from the age of 19, who have taken the matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto), or completed the general or vocational upper secondary education, or hold a corresponding international or foreign qualification. Upper secondary VET provides eligibility for higher education. This route is sometimes used in transition from VET to polytechnics. Around one fifth of the polytechnics students have a VET background but only 2-3 % of the university students have this. The majority of the students in higher education have a general upper secondary education.
Vocational adult education centres (aikuiskoulutuskeskukset, yrkesutbildningscentralerna för vuxna). There are 40 vocational adult education centres, most of which are owned by local authorities, with financing based on sales of services. Traditionally, education organised by vocational adult education centres has mainly consisted of labour market training. Vocational adult education centres also provide upper secondary vocational education and training leading to qualifications, as well as additional training and in-service training. Theoretical studies in apprenticeship training may also be organised at vocational adult education centres.
Vocational further education and training (ammatillinen lisäkoulutus, yrkesinriktad tilläggsutbildning). Additional vocational training is self-motivated training which aims at improving vocational skills. It is training after the initial vocational training meant for adults. Training can be organised in longer periods, short courses and apprenticeship training.
Vocational institution (ammatillinen oppilaitos, yrkesläroanstalt). Institution offering three years of initial vocational education in almost all fields for students aged 16 to 19. Instruction is given in multifield or specialised vocational institutions.
Vocational skills demonstration (ammattiosaamisen näytöt, yrkesprov). Its official basis is laid down by the Vocational Education and Training Act and Decree and by the national core curricula decided by the Finnish National Board of Education. In vocational skills demonstrations, students show how well they have achieved vocational studies objectives and the vocational skills and knowledge required by working life. There are usually three to four demonstrations per year, implemented in genuine working situations but the number of demonstrations varies according to the study field. Other assessment methods are also used.
Vocational teacher education college (ammatillinen opettajakorkeakoulu,yrkeslärarhögskola). The vocational teacher education colleges at polytechnics provide initial teacher training for teachers working at polytechnics, vocational schools and vocational adult education centres.
