Vocational Education in FinlandInitial vocational education is provided in vocationalcolleges or in the form of apprenticeship training.The completion of 120-credit vocational qualificationstakes 3 years, two years for 19+ students. A three-year VQ yields eligibility for all forms of highereducation. The VQ can also be taken as a competence-based examination evaluated by an examination board.

The vocational education is practice-oriented andincludes a 20-credit or roughly six-month period oflearning at work.

This involves training at workplaces which is anintegral part of study programmes. Our students mayparticipate in international projects, and it is alsopossible to take learning-at-work periods abroad.

Structure of Curriculum 120 credits• Basic Vocational studies• Core subjects• Specialized studies• Optional studies• Work-based learning

Education System in Finland

Future isFullofPossibilities

Compulsoryeducation

Pre- school education in schools or children`s daycare centers (kindergartens)

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

2 3

2 3 4 5

1 2 3

1 2 3

4

Basic education

Uppersecondary

school

Vocationaleducation

Universities Polytechnic

1

1

1

7yrs

16yrs

19yrs

Key FiguresFull-time students 5600

Apprentices 1300

Adult students 1600

Staff 1150

Study Programmes 70

Fields of Study 7

Locations 10

Facts about FinlandPopulation 5 200 000

Capital Helsinki

Officiallanguages Finnish, Swedish

Independent since 6 December 1917

Member of EU since 1995

President Ms Tarja Halonen

Currency Euro

Lakes 188 000

For more information,please contact

Business and AdministrationKuopio, Iisalmi, Varkause-mail: arja.pietikainen@sakky.fiTel. +358 44 785 4920, fax +358 17 214 4940,Presidentinkatu 1, FI-70100 Kuopio, Finland

Natural Resources and EnvironmentMuuruvesi, Suonenjoki, Siilinjärvi (Toivala),e-mail: unto.keranen@sakky.fi,Tel. +358 44 785 3841, fax +358 17 214 3801,Hietapohjantie 926, FI-73460 Muuruvesi, Finland

Social Services, Health and SportsKuopio, Iisalmi, Varkause-mail: paivi.nuutinen@sakky.fiTel.+358 44 785 8774, fax +358 17 214 8764,Sairaalakatu 6-8, FI-70110 Kuopio, Finland

Cooperation andInternational Networks• Several partner institutions in Europe• Work-based learning abroad• Student and trainee exchange• Teacher exchange• International cooperation projects with

educational, economic and industrial life• Bilateral cooperation• Language and international studies• On-line councelling

Participation inEuropean Programmes• Leonardo da Vinci• Comenius• Nordplus, Nordic Cooperation• Grundtvig• National Networks• Cooperation with Local Education Providers• Networks funded by the National Board

of Education• Membership in International Organisations• Unesco School

Technology, Communication,Transport and CultureKuopio, Siilinjärvi, Juankoski, Leppävirta,Suonenjoki, Varkause-mail: irja.nenola@sakky.fiTel. +358 44 785 3311, fax +358 17 214 3202Presidentinkatu 3, FI-70100 Kuopio, Finland

Tourism, Catering, Home Economicsand Food IndustryKuopio, Juankoski, Suonenjoki, Varkause-mail: pirjo.rosen@sakky.fiTel. +358 44 785 4832, fax +358 17 214 4800,Sammakkolammentie 3, FI-70200 Kuopio, Finland

Savo Apprenticeship Training CentreKuopio, Varkause-mail: sinikka.kilponen@sakky.fiTel. +358 44 785 3063, fax +358 17 214 3060Puijonkatu 19 A, 5 krs, FI-70100 Kuopio, Finland

Business Units

Best Western Hotel SavoniaSammakkolammentie 2,FI-70200 Kuopio, FinlandTel. + 358 17 255 5100, www.savonia.com

Puijo TowerPuijontornintie, FI-70300 Kuopio, FinlandTower restaurant, tel. +358 17 255 5255Puijo Lodge, tel. +358 17 255 5250www.puijo.com, puijo@sakky.fi

Finnish Research and Information Centerfor Fruit Wines, Hietapohjantie 926,FI-73460 Muuruvesi, FinlandTel. +358 17 214 3810, viinitietokeskus@sakky.fi

Organic Catering CenterJalkalantie 6, FI-77600 Suonenjoki, FinlandTel. +358 17 214 4000

Finland

Everything is possible inVET

Helsinki

Kuopio

North Savo RegionSavo Vocational College is a regional vocationalinstitute located in the heart of the beautifullake district in Eastern Finland. Lakes, rich floraand hilly countryside are essential characteristicsof the natural beauty of the area. Savo VocationalCollege arranges vocational and general uppersecondary education and training for compre-hensive school leavers and adults. It also providesapprenticeship training. In addition, the collegeis an active partner to local business life.

A joint municipal board providesvocational education and training

at Savo Vocational College.

Savo Vocational College is networking inpartnerships and development projects withKuopio University and Savonia University ofApplied Sciences.

Pieksämäki

HeinävesiLeppävirta

Kiuruvesi

Vieremä

Sonkajärvi

Nilsiä

Kaavi

Varkaus

Joroinen

Iisalmi

Kuopio

Suonenjoki

Rauta-lampi

Karttula

Tervo

Vesanto

Kei-tele

Pielavesi

Maaninka

Hauki-vuori

Siilin-järvi

Rauta-vaara

Varpais-järvi

Lapin-lahti

Tuus-niemi

Juan-koski

Pieksänmaa

Iisalmi

Pieksämäki

Suonenjoki

Kuopio

Varkaus

Toivala Muuruvesi

Leppävirta

Siilinjärvi

Juankoski

Rissala

We provide VET• School-Based Education• Competence-Based Education• Adult Education and Re-training• Apprenticeship Training• Initial Vocational Qualifications• Further Vocational Qualifications• Specialist Vocational Qualifications• Sports Academy, VET for Athletes

Our priorities• Life-long Learning• Entrepreneurial Skills• Sustainable Development• VET for Immigrant Students• VET for Students with Special Needs• Employment and Rehabilitation of the Disabled• National and International Partnerships to

Develop Quality in VET

SavoConsortiumforEducation

Potentials of Our RegionThe focus in economic life emphasizes modernbusiness, information, welfare and environmenttechnologies. Wood and food production arethe most important traditional industries. Tourismand service industries play an important role.The main export sectors include forest and metalindustries as well as biotechnology.

FieldsofStudyBusiness andAdministrationThe study programmes provide students withskills needed in a variety of jobs in marketingand customer service, office services andinformation management, financing andaccounting and business informationtechnology. Vocational qualifications areavailable in• Business and Administration• Business Information Technology

Technologyand TransportThe study programmes provide students withskills needed in building, process operation,repair, maintenance, assembly, transport, security,technical design and graphics technology.Vocational qualifications are available in• Construction• Technical Design• Building Maintenance Technology• Vehicle Technology• Aircraft Maintenance• Logistics• Electrical Engineering and IT• Graphics Technology• Metalwork and Machinery• Plastics Technology• Wood Processing Technology• Surface Treatment Technology

• Clothing• Upholstery• Chemical Engineering• Laboratory Technology• Paper Industry• Safety and Security

CultureThe study programmes provide students withskills needed in design and production, technicaldesign and audiovisual communication. Studentswork with various materials. Vocationalqualifications are available in• Crafts and Design• Audiovisual Communication

Natural Resources andEnvironmentThe study programmes provide students withtheoretical and practical skills. Vocationalqualifications are available in• Nature-based Services• Eco-system Services• Forestry• Horticulture• Agriculture• Floristry• Berry and Wine Production

Social and Health CareThe students can take vocationalqualifications in• Social and Health Care; practical nurse• Pharmaceutics• Hairdressing and Beauty Care

Practical nurses can specialise in emergencycare, nursing and care, rehabilitation, children´sand youth care and education, mental healthand substance abuse welfare work, oral anddental care, care for the elderly or care forthe disabled as well as in customer servicesand information management.

Tourism, Catering andHome EconomicsThe study programmes focus on the production,marketing and selling of tourism and cateringservices and on food products, beverages andcustomer services in different businesses.The emphasis in the studies is on hospitality,environmental issues, understanding foodtechnology chain and international activities.Vocational qualifications are provided in• Tourism• Catering• Hotel and Restaurant Services• Cleaning Services• Food Technology• Household and Consumer Services