Finding employment after vocational education

Between 2024 and 2026, we evaluate finding emplyment after vocational education. The evaluation will produce information on the current state in finding employment after vocational education, how the opportunities for finding employment can be supported during the education and what kind of development measures are required in VET to promote employment in different sectors and regions. The aim of the evaluation is to produce information to support the implementation of the Government Programme and to support education providers in the development of their activities. In addition, the evaluation aims to identify good practices nationally and internationally to promote employment. The information produced by the evaluation can also be used in the implementation of the employment services reform.

Background of the evaluation

According to FINEEC’s evaluation results, challenges in the working life relevance of VET include finding suitable workplaces for workplace education and training and demonstrations and workplace instructors’ competence in guiding students at workplaces. There are considerable differences between VET providers, fields of VET and qualifications. Students do not have equal opportunities to develop their capacities for working life and their contacts with workplaces during the studies.

The Government Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo highlights a concern that one in ten graduates with an initial vocational qualification are unable to find employment after graduation. In addition, employment varies by sector. In international comparison, the employment rate of holders of a vocational qualification in Finland remains lower among young adults than, for example, in the other Nordic countries (Education at Glance 2023, OECD). The Government Programme outlines that cooperation between VET and business and industry will be strengthened. The provision of education and training will be reformed to better meet the needs of working life and business and industry, taking into account the needs of regions with export businesses and industries. According to the Government Programme, the funding model of VET will be reformed to support employment after graduation and transition to further studies.

Employment of VET graduates

Look at the recent overview, which examines the employment, unemployment and other placement after graduation of vocational education and training (VET) graduates. The overview is based on placement data from 2009–2021 obtained from Vipunen, and examines placement in relation to field of education, qualification completion method, the age and mother tongue of graduates and factors related to the education provider. 

• Overview of the employment of VET graduates (in Finnish, summary in English)
• Press release: Employment rate of VET graduates varies by type of qualification, field of education and age of students – employment improves as time passes from graduation

Implementation of the evaluation

An evaluation team with multiple perspectives has been appointed to support the experts at FINEEC in the implementation of the evaluation.

• Pekka Tauriainen, Principal, Vantaa Vocational College Varia
• Jukka Mäntymaa, Head of working life relations, Vamia, City of Vaasa
• Riina Nousiainen, Senior Advisor, Education and Competence, The Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK) 
• Peer Haataja, Deputy managing director, Tampere Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Heta Rintala, Principal Research Scientist, HAMK Edu, Häme University of Applied Sciences HAMK