Studying at a vocational college has become more and more popular amongst youngsters. More than half of the areas school leavers apply for vocational studies. Life-long learning is also important for us. In addition to the vocational upper secondary qualifications, we also provide education for adult students. We work in close co-operation with the economic markets demands, and practical learning is an essential part of the studies. Changes in the labour market have a direct impact on our education programmes. Studying at KSAO

All the upper secondary vocational qualifications lead to a profession and give eligibility for further studies in Polytechnics and Universities. While studying for a vocational qualification, students can also pass the state matriculation examination. Education in Finland

Founded in 2002 The largest upper secondary institute in the region Training in nearly 50 different professions in seven sectors Educational provider: City of Kouvola Students: Youngsters 2100, adults 1000 In addition 550 students in apprenticeship training. Personnel: 220 teachers and some 60 other staff Eight units KSAO facts

Number of students / unit KouvolaTechnology and Services ca. 650 students Business Administrationca. 440 students Culture and Technologyca. 335 students Kuusankoski Social and Health Careca. 220 students Technology and Services ca. 220 students KeltakangasTechnologyca. 60 students AnjalaNatural Resourcesca. 70 students Adultsca students

Number of students annually

All vocational upper secondary qualifications consists of 120 credits and are completed in three years - Each degree includes a final project and six months of on-the-job learning (20 credits) - Part of the on-the-job learning can be experienced abroad - All the qualifications lead to a profession - Eligibility for further studies in polytechnics and universities Students can also pass the state matriculation examination Vocational Qualifications

Adults can study for qualifications through e.g. In-service training; Apprenticeship training; Competence test system; and Labour market training (adult employment training). As of 2012 KSAO Adult Education Centre (includes apprenticeship training office) For adults we offer further vocational qualifications, specialist vocational qualifications and courses Number of students ca Adult Education

Workplacement and job shadowing abroad KSAO is actively involved in co-operation with colleges and employers internationally. We annually send some 100 students to complete their workplacement and some 40 teachers for job shadowing abroad. The partner countries are Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, India, Italy, Malta, Spain, Sweden, Russia and the Netherlands. The activities are financed by mobility projects like LLP Leonardo da Vinci Mobility, Nordplus Junior, Finnish National Board of Education and from KSAO’s own funds. Each year KSAO receives some 80 foreign students and teachers to Finland

Co-operation with countries outside EU KSAO also coordinates Russian network of Finnish Vocational Colleges KSAO is a partner of India, China and Japan networks The aim of the networks is to improve co-operation, workplacement and job shadowing to countries outside European Union.

International Projects Partnerships and TOI-projects: BRAID-partnership, Hairdressing E-car –partnership, Vehicle Technology ELOCASS-partnership, Hotel and Restaurant services L45 Mobility, Safety and Security IT:BSE, ToI, Electrical Engineering, Plumbing and Heating, Automation Techniques THEME: ToI, Electrical Engineering, Business and Administration

We actively improve our education program through development projects. The main funding usually comes from the authorities, the EU or a foundation. KSAO often contributes to the costs as well. Our biggest projects Biosampo and KSAO-Innorail have gained success. Biosampo Training Centre in Anjala provides education and a research platform for renewable energy and decentralized energy production and processing development. Thanks to the KSAO-Innorail project, we offer a rail track related engineering education, which is included in the degree of construction engineer. It was started based on regional workforce demand. Projects

Culture Natural Sciences Technology and Transport Social Services, Health and Sport Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services Natural Resources and the Environment Social Sciences, Business and Administration Study Sectors

Culture CRAFTS AND DESIGN, Artisan Stylist Restoration and Upholstery Traditional Painting and Joinery Textiles and Clothing Design and Production Jewellery and Small Articles Tutoring for Crafts and Hobbies VISUAL EXPRESSION, Visual Artisan Visual and Media Arts, Painting

CONSTRUCTION: Builder, Infrastructure Builder BUILDING MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY: Ventilation Fitter, Pipe Fitter METALWORK AND MACHINERY: Mechanical Fitter, Machinist and Plater-Welder ELECTRICAL ENGRINEERING: Electrician, Automation Assembler, Electronics Assembler LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY: Laboratory Technician CHEMICAL ENGINEERING: Process Operator WOOD PROCESSING: Joiner CLOTHING: Dressmaker VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY: Vechicle Mecanic or Body Repairer LOGISTICS: Driver AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE: Aircraft Maintenance Technician SAFETY AND SECURITY: Security Officer SURFACE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY: Painter Technology, Communication and Transport

BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION: Business College Graduate We also provide: - education for immigrants in Finnish language Social Sciences, Business and Administration BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Datanome Datanome/game sector (as of August 2012) Natural Sciences

AGRICULTURE: Rural Entrepreneur NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Environmental Operative Natural Resources and the Environment

TOURISM INDUSTRY: Travel Counsellor HOTEL RESTAURANT AND CATERING: Cook Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services

SOCIAL AND HEALTH CARE: Practical Nurse Study programmes: - Rehabilitation - Children’s and Youth Care and Education - Mental Health and Substance Abuse Wellfare Work - Nursing and Care - Care for the Disabled - Care for the Elderly HAIRDRESSING: Hairdresser Social Services, Health and Sports

Studying is fun Studying at vocational college is very practical and activity based We have two restaurants and hairdressers where students learn the profession in practice. Other sectors offers also various kind of services such as car repair, building and renovation, painting and maintenance services. Our students actively take part in different kind of events, exhibitions and shows. For examble, the Arts students demonstrate their talent yearly through exhibitions, participate in different projects or arrange a bazaar to sell jewellery etc. Stylists are there where fashion is involved.

Active students Each year we send participants to the national Skills Finland competition and our former students have continued representing us also in the World Skills competitions. Our students also actively take part in the sports events and competitions arranged by Cultural and Sports Association of Finnish Vocational Education and Training, SAKU Our students also have a possibility to study at the Sport Academy of Kouvola

Number of enterprises 5,100 Farms 1,250 Lakes 450 Summer houses 7,150 Main tourist attractions: - Tykkimäki Amusement Park - Repovesi National Park - Verla Mill Museum - Golf courses The municipalities in Kouvola region, Anjalankoski, Elimäki, Jaala, Kouvola, Kuusankoski and Valkeala, merged to form the new town of Kouvola on in biggest town in Finland and the biggest in the Province of Kymenlaakso 130 km east from Helsinki and 290 km west from St. Petersburg Some 90,000 inhabitants Kouvola – the town by the Kymi River Surface 2,871 km² - land areas 2,543 km² - water areas 328 km² Employment structure - primary production 1 % - processing 21 % - services 72 % - others 6 %