Finland: updating competences in vocational qualifications

Finnish initial vocational qualifications include vocational units specific to a qualification and units that are common to all initial vocational qualifications. Common units aim to increase readiness for continuing education, and were last updated in 2018 during the vocational education reform.

The aim of the current update is to respond to the changing needs of working life and society, and to implement the government programme’s objective of updating the physical and health education competences in vocational qualifications. In addition, EDUFI is preparing support materials for education providers to promote active lifestyle in vocational education. The common units will be updated in cooperation with education providers and working life representatives, and are scheduled to come into effect in August 2026. 

In addition to common units that give students general competences, there are optional vocational units in all initial vocational qualifications:

• working as a top expert;
• working with climate responsibility;
• working in an international work environment;
• workplace instructor training;
• working in an enterprise;
• planning a business.

Since its introduction in 2022, more than 2 000 vocational students have completed the ’Working in an international work environment’ unit. Many students from different qualifications complete the unit as a part of their mobility period abroad. The unit aims to improve language and communication skills, and familiarity with working in international environments and cultures. These competences are also highly valued in the labour market.

New units to promote green and digital transitions

New optional vocational units promoting green and digital transitions have also been introduced and the first updated qualifications will become available in June 2025. 
 

These new units support efficiency in working in digital environments, increasing understanding of sustainable development, and promoting a culture of experimentation. They are especially targeted at students who wish to complement or deepen their green and digital competences.

Read more

• Finnish National Agency for Education, 2025. Ammatillinen koulutus vauhdittaa työelämän muutosta uusilla digivihreän siirtymän tutkinnon osilla [Vocational education and training accelerates the transformation of working life with new modules for the digital green transition]
• Finnish National Agency for Education, 2025. Ammatillisten perustutkintojen yhteisten tutkinnon osien päivittäminen [Updating the common units of vocational upper secondary qualifications]