Finland: VET learner mobility on the rise

In 2024, 4 021 Finnish VET learners went abroad for a study-related period, which is 8% more compared to 2023. The overall mobility rate among 16- to 25-year-old IVET learners in Finland is 9%, which is lower that the Council of Europe’s ‘Europe on the Move’ recommended target of 12% by 2030. 

At the same time, 2 413 foreign learners came to Finland on a reciprocal basis, which is 1% less than the previous year. 

After the launch of a new group mobility activity for VET under the Erasmus+ programme in 2024, group mobility for VET learners accounted for 8% of all outgoing participants in that year. In these activities, learner groups from Finland and the destination country learn together under teacher guidance. Group mobility is targeted at IVET learners and TUVA (preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification) learners.

Less than 10% of mobility took place outside Europe

In Finland, mobility in VET is strongly focused on Europe, particularly within the Erasmus+ programme countries. These include all EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Turkiye. Since the UK's exit from the EU, the most popular European destinations have consistently been Spain, Sweden, and Germany.

Organisations and consortia accredited under Erasmus+ may use up to 20% of their granted funding for mobility outside the Erasmus+ programme countries. In Finland, 5% was directed outside the Erasmus+ countries, while 7% was directed to staff mobility, with destinations including the UK, Switzerland, and Canada.

In 2024, 80% of education providers reported having implemented international mobility. This demonstrates that opportunities for international mobility are being widely utilised in VET institutions across Finland.