1. VET IN FINLAND: EQF, NQF and ECVET
Sirje Hassinen

2. FINNISH EDUCATION SYSTEM

3. Subordination of the formal VET institutions

4. Formal education
Formal education refers to participation in education provided by the regular education
system with the aim to complete a qualification. Education leading to a qualification
according to the regular education system is arranged in the following educational
institutions: comprehensive schools, upper secondary schools, vocational schools and
colleges, polytechnics and universities. Education leading to a vocational qualification
can also be arranged in apprenticeship training and in folk high schools and sports
institutes.
Vocational college
after basic education (students between 16 – 21 years old) 3 years
after general upper secondary school (students up to 18/19 years old) 2 years
Vocational education and training centres (for young and/or adult students)
Adult education centres (students from 20 years, some work experience)
Polytechnics (after basic vocational education)
In Finland there are no national levels for Vocational Qualifications (NQF).

5. Non-formal education
Non-formal education refers to participation in course-form, other than
education and training leading to a qualification according to the
regular education system. Examples of course training are in-service
training arranged and sponsored by the employer, hobby and
languages courses at adult education centres, vocational further
education courses, driving school, dance school, etc.
Accreditation; In general, accreditation means that a student can substitute some or all studies included in the currently performed qualification by studies, work experience or practical training. In the Finnish legislation the accreditation appears to be partly a subjective right of the student.
Recognition and validation of prior learning by adult students
Structure of adult vocational qualification system is based mostly on non-formal learning idea. Nonetheless 95 % of the candidates taking the tests choose to prepare themselves for the examinations by undertaking some formal training.

6. Informal learning
Informal learning is activity practised for the purpose of learning, which is less
organised and structured than other education. Informal learning is not
institutionalised, in other words, not the responsibility of any organisation. It has
no student-teacher arrangement, timetables or entrance requirements.
Informal learning can take place almost anywhere irrespective of place; among
family or friends, at workplace or in everyday life. Informal learning can be
self steered or take place under the guidance of family or some other social
context.
*Official recognition of prior learning acquired in different ways (by adult students)
*Independent of the way the competence is acquired
*Accreditation (a student can substitute some or all studies included in the currently
performed qualification by studies, work experience or practical training)

7. VET IN FINLAND Finnish National Board of Education
Qualifications, study programs and modules of the qualification
the vocational skills required in the qualification
the assessment criteria
Vocational Qualification, (120 credits)
The basic skills of the profession
Further Qualification for adults, (40 credits)
Skilled worker, professional in the field
Specialist Qualification for adults, (40 credits)
The most demanding tasks in the field
At present, there are 358 qualifications
52 vocational qualifications divided into 113 study programmes
183 of them further vocational qualifications
123 specialist vocational qualifications

8. Structure of VET studies in Finland
90 credits of vocational studies (Common vocational studies of the qualification, specialist vocational studies of each study programme)
including at least 20 credits of on-the-job learning
10 credits of free-choice studies
20 credits of core subjects
(Compulsory 16 credits in all vocational studies are: the mother tongue, second national language, a foreign language, mathematics, physics and chemistry, social studies, entrepreneurship and workplace studies, physical and health education, arts and cultural studies)
(Elective 4 credits Environmental studies, Information and communications technology, Ethics, Other cultures, Psychology, Entrepreneurship)

9. Local and international qualification standards that are applied
Level of the qualification (in the awarding
country) Level 3 of the EC classification Upper secondary level, ISCED 3
Europass
Certificate supplement
*NQF (EQF?) basic qualification = level 4

10. National Certificate of Language Proficiency
National Certificate of Language Proficiency is a test aimed at adults to
measure their practical language skills regardless of how and where their
linguistic proficiency has been acquired. The tests measure language skills in
practical situations in which an adult could be required to speak, listen, write or
read a foreign language.
The Act on language tests was passed in 1994 and the first national certificates
of language proficiency were granted in the same year.
Some 22,000 people had been granted a Certificate by the end of 2003.
The test can now be taken in 9 different languages and there are over 100
educational institutions arranging tests.
Europass Language Passport

11. EQF and NQF
The European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong learning EQF
The 8 EQF reference levels and their descriptors
Based on learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and competence) and
not learning/teaching/training systems. 8 levels covering all levels of academic and vocational qualifications
Learning outcomes
Shifts focus from input to what a person knows and is able to do
better match between needs of the labour market and education and training provision
facilitates transfer and use of qualifications across different countries and education and training systems
facilitates validation of non-formal and informal learning

12. Finnish NQF levels Level 1 Level 2
Completion of Basic Education syllabus
Level 3
Level 4
Matriculation examination, completion of upper secondary syllabus
Vocational upper secondary qualifications
Further Vocational Qualifications
Qualifications from other administrative sectors corresponding to requirements of vocational upper secondary or further vocational qualifications
Level 5
Specialist vocational qualifications
Qualifications from other administrative sectors corresponding to requirements of specialist vocational qualifications
Level 6
University and polytechnic Bachelor’s Degrees
Level 7
University and polytechnic Master’s Degrees
Level 8
Scientific and artistic post-graduate degrees, such as licentiate and doctoral degrees

13. European Credit for Vocational Education and Training ECVET
The Ecvet is a system for the accumulation and transfer of credit point in vocational education and training. It enables the documentation and certification of learning outcomes gained in the course of vocational education and training abroad.
ECVET will improve transparency of qualifications
A person has an opportunity for a learning period abroad
a person can transfer “home” his new learning outcomes and include them for the qualification.

14. Why is ECVET important?
International student exchanges are more attractive, if there is a certainty, how studies completed during the exchange can be used as part of a qualification.
ECVET will allow the added value of international exchanges to be evaluated.
ECVET will allow individual learning paths to be created.
ECVET will help enrichment of competencies and peer learning – not only taking same like in home country.

15. Knowledge Skills Competence
Finnish targets of assessments vs. learning outcomes
described in terms of ”KSC”
1. Mastering of work processes
Knowledge
2. Mastering of tasks, working
methods, tools and materials
Skills
3. Mastering of knowledge that
forms foundation for work
Competence
4. LLL- key competencies
common to all qualifications