Finland

Work-based learning is a key component of Finnish VET, and apprenticeship training is widely recognised as an important tool for upskilling and reskilling, as well as for meeting labour market needs. Apprenticeship training is especially popular among adult learners. National education policy aims to increase the use of apprenticeships through a competence-based, flexible and personalised VET system. 
A personal competence development plan is drawn up in cooperation with each learner. The plan identifies prior learning and sets out how, where and when the required skills and competences will be acquired. Study duration depends on the learner’s individual competence development needs. Learners may complete parts of a qualification or an entire qualification through an apprenticeship. Work-based learning should be available to all students in all qualifications, but particular attention should be given to providing it for students undertaking an initial vocational qualification who have no previous work experience in the field.
There are two forms of work-based learning: apprenticeship training and training agreements. Apprenticeships are based on a fixed-term employment contract between the learner and the employer. Apprentices receive wages in accordance with the relevant collective agreement and spend most of their training performing practical workplace tasks, an average of at least 25 hours per week. Apprenticeship training is also available to entrepreneurs through a specific apprenticeship agreement. Under a training agreement, learners are not employed by the workplace and therefore do not receive wages or other compensation. Training agreements can cover one or more qualification units but not a full qualification. During both agreements, learning may be supplemented through learning activities in other environments, such as educational institutions.
Learners can flexibly combine apprenticeships, training agreements and institution-based studies according to their individual needs, as well as the opportunities and requirements of the workplace. In all learning environments, they are entitled to personal guidance and support to achieve the competence requirements of the qualification. 
Finland provides progression pathways from basic education to higher education. Graduates of vocational qualifications, including those completed through apprenticeships, are eligible to apply for universities of applied sciences and universities. Cooperation between upper secondary VET and higher education is becoming increasingly common.