EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE IN FINLAND

1 9/2007

EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE

IN FINLAND

2 9/2007

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

3 9/2007

4 9/2007

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

5 9/2007

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

6 9/2007

FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

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

7 9/2007

FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

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)

8 9/2007

FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

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

9 9/2007

FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

POLYTECHNICS

- 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

10 9/2007

FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

ADMISSION TO UPPER SECONDARY AND HIGHER

EDUCATION 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

11 9/2007

FINNISH EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

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

12 9/2007

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

13 9/2007

THREE-TIER ORGANISATION OF FINNISH LABOUR ADMINISTRATION

Ministry of Labour

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

14 9/2007

FINNISH GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SYSTEM

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS

UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

VOCATIONAL COLLEGES

POLYTECHNICS

UNIVERSITIES

EMPLOYMENT OFFICES

Vocational guidance and career planning

Educational and vocational information services

Employment exchange services

CENTRE FOR INTER-NATIONAL MOBILITY CIMO

Euroguidance Finland

15 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at educational institutions

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS- national curriculum (2003): 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

16 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at educational institutions

UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOLS- 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

17 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at educational institutions

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

18 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at educational institutions

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

19 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at educational institutions

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

20 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at educational institutions

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)

21 9/2007

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

22 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at employment offices

EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL INFORMATION SERVICES- information to all clients about education, training, occupa-

tions and working life as well as about studying and training opportunities abroad

- education and training advisors answer clients

inquiries 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

23 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at employment offices

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

24 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at employment offices

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

25 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at employment offices

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING FOR IMMIGRANTS

- immigrants residing permanently in Finland entitled to same

services in employment offices as Finns- employment consultants specialised in serving immigrants at

the larger offices- personal integration plan for unemployed immigrants

26 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at employment offices

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/eures

27 9/2007

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING at employment offices

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

28 9/2007

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIFELONG GUIDANCE EXPERTISE

- operates at the University of Jyväskylä- multidisciplinary research unit- to support national lifelong guidance services and policy

developments- focus on guidance and counselling services for young people

and adults, improving access to guidance, development of support systems for career guidance

29 9/2007

SUPPORT SERVICES FOR GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING

CIMO AS EUROGUIDANCE FINLAND

- CIMO is part of the Euroguidance network operating in 32 countries

- main tasks to promote international mobility and European dimension in guidance

- primary target group: guidance counsellors in education and employment sectors

- services: in-service training, information on opportunities for international mobility, ACADEMIA exchange programme, PLOTEUS website: http://ec.europa.eu/ploteus

30 9/2007

TRAINING OF GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

EDUCATION SECTOR

Universities of Jyväskylä and Joensuu, Vocational Teacher

Education Colleges in Hämeenlinna and Jyväskylä as well as Åbo

Akademi are responsible for guidance counsellor training in Finland

EMPLOYMENT SECTOR

Ministry of Labour arranges basic training for all new employment

consultants and counsellors, vocational guidance psychologists,

and education and training advisers

31 9/2007

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

32 9/2007

GUIDANCE IN FINLAND -BOOKLET

GUIDANCE IN FINLAND –booklet is available on the internet at

http://www.cimo.fi

-> in English -> Publications-> på svenska -> Publikationer-> suomeksi -> Julkaisut ja tilastot

33 9/2007

GUIDANCE IN FINLAND –BOOKLET

JOINTLY PROVIDED BY

- Ministry of Employment and the Economy

http://www.tem.fi- Ministry of Education

http://www.minedu.fi- Finnish National Board of Education

http://www.oph.fi- Centre for International Mobility CIMO

http://www.cimo.fi