Ensure Quality Vocational Training for All Students

Vocational education in Finland requires investment in quality and resources, not reductions, according to Niina Jurva, head of education policy at the OAJ Teachers' Union. Jurva responds to an earlier opinion piece that proposed redirecting vocational education funding to higher education institutions to expand university access.

While acknowledging that vocational education funding has increased since 1990, Jurva points out that the sector itself has undergone significant structural changes. These include extending degree programs to three years, the 2018 reform that unified funding and legislation for young and adult vocational students, and the recent extension of compulsory education. These changes have led to a notable increase in students requiring diverse learning and life management support, alongside a substantial rise in foreign-language speaking students, which has grown by over 70% since 2018.

The number of students in vocational education now exceeds 320,000 annually, a roughly third increase from a decade ago. Jurva argues that instead of cutting funding, vocational training needs a commitment to ensuring every student receives a high-quality education and adequate preparation for their future. This approach, she contends, is crucial for improving Finland's higher education attainment rates, which have lagged behind targets.