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Vocational training in Finland: New opportunities for Vietnamese students

Finland has increasingly become an attractive study destination for Vietnamese students, especially vocational education. We had a discussion with Mr. Peter Perttula, Director of Global Partnerships of Tampere Adult Education Center in Tampere city, Finland and Ms. Dieu Tran, Director of RAB Academy.

Mr. Perttula, how often do you visit Vietnam and what is the purpose of this business trip?

I work as the director of global partnerships at Tampere Adult Education Centre “TAKK.” TAKK is a Vocational School focusing on adult education. Our students are always over 18-years of age. Our job is to train vocational skills for students that aim to continue working and living in Finland.

TAKK sends a delegation to visit our Vietnamese partner twice a year. The main purpose is to promote our programs for Vietnamese students and to continue building the trust between our organizations. It is important that potential students hear about our programs directly from our trainers. This helps information to be accurate and gives a realistic understanding of studies and life in Finland and Tampere.

Ms. Dieu Tran, what is the reason for a Vietnamese student to choose Finland?

Finland has become more popular in Vietnam in recent years. Firstly, Finland has almost no age limit for students, and therefore anyone can study any field of their interest regardless of their age. Second, there are no dead ends and rigidities in the Finnish education system, and workers can study higher when they want to. Importantly, Finland has a “brand” as a country of Happiness and a safe study destination.

Mr. Perttula, what is the goal of vocational education in Finland, and does the country has a policy to attract Vietnamese students?

The goal is to provide skilled labor force to the local companies. For Non-Eu students we aim to train skills for jobs where it is difficult to find enough workers domestically. Our Vocational studies are very practical and we believe in learning through doing. This means that students have to complete very practical tasks in the school environment and in practical trainings within workplaces. The aim is that when students graduate they are ready for the work life.

Vietnam is one of the strategic countries from where Finland aims to attract international talents. Besides University level education, we need foreign vocational students. Vietnam is seen as a country where students are hardworking and they are able to learn the Finnish language and integrate into our society.

Ms. Dieu Tran, for an international student, what are the options / pathways available for vocational training in Finland at the present time?

For Non-EU students, vocational study in Finland currently has two primary options: Studying the vocational program in Finnish language (no tuition fee) and Studying the program in English (usually with fee).

The first option (no tuition) often requires students to learn (and pass) Finnish level B1 first, then can take the entrance exam to vocational schools in Finland. Students do not pay tuition at the vocational stage when arriving in Finland.

For programs where English is used as means of instruction at the beginning of the program, students do not need to reach B1 in Finnish before participating, but need to have quite good English to take the entrance exam. Students pay tuition when attending vocational training. This is an official “education export” model recognized by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. This information can be viewed at:

Link

Ms. Dieu Tran mentioned two different vocational training options in Finland. Can Mr. Perttula give more insights into this issue?

At TAKK we only offer programs with a tuition fee for Non-Eu students. This enables us to start studies in English and train the Finnish language whilst training the vocational skills. If a student is able to start studies in Finnish language then they are able to study without a tuition fee. It is not easy to learn the Finnish language in intensive online programs, this is why we focus on teaching the language while students are in Finland. The model with a tuition fee enables us to tailor the programs so that integration is realistically possible.

Ms. Dieu Tran, what is your view on the issue of "fee-based tution" and "free tuition" programs?

It is important to note that there is no “100% free” program. For the so-called “tuition-free” program, students still have to invest time, effort, and money in learning Finnish before being able to take the entrance exam to be admitted into a tuition-free education journey.

Therefore, you need to consider whether you are suitable for this direction or not. To participate in a tuition-free vocational program, you need to have a talent for learning new languages, have good learning ability, and have the time to invest (huge) in the language. If not considered carefully, it is a waste of effort, time and money.

What are other important aspected when considering a vocational program?

When choosing a vocational program to study in Finland, you should choose a program that give you a full degree after completion.

With this type of program, you will be considered a “degree student” instead of a “continuing education student”. This will affect your benefits when you graduate.

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RAB is a company operating in the field of education collaboration / consulting. For us, in international education, a global mindset is not enough; local understanding is also crucial.