Description of Finnish education system
The Finnish education system is composed of:
A) a nineyear basic education (comprehensive school) for the whole age group (age from 7 to 16 years old), preceded by one year of voluntary pre‐primary education for six year old children.
B) Upper secondary education, comprising general education and vocational education and training (vocational qualifications and further and specialist qualifications) and
C) higher education. Higher education is offered by universities and polytechnics (also known as universities of applied sciences). Universities emphasize scientific research and instruction and universities of applied sciences adopt a more practical approach.
Professionals working in the field of logistics and blue economy have in most cases completed an upper secondary education degree or higher education degree.
Students’ opportunities to progress from one level of education to the next one are safeguarded by legislation. Learners can continue their studies on an upper level of education, whatever choices they make in between. The practice of recognition of prior learning has been developed in order to avoid unnecessary overlapping of studies. Both general and vocational upper secondary certificates provide eligibility for further studies. Adult education is provided at all levels of education.
Upper secondary education
This chapter includes a list of possible study programmes in the fields of logistics: The list concentrates on blue logistics and blue economy so qualifications related to air and rail are not included. The qualifications related to road are listed as seen appropriate. Blue economy is defined as tourism and fishery and only qualifications directly linked to those study programs are listed. For example qualifications of Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Services are not listed even though students graduating from those study programs might work in the area of blue economy.
There exists several vocational education institutions in Finland that organize education related to blue logistics and blue economy, but only qualifications are listed, not organizing institutions.
In programmes leading to upper secondary vocational qualifications, students’ learning and its development as well as the competence acquired as a result of learning are assessed throughout the period of study. Students’ learning and competence are always assessed in terms of the vocational skills requirements and assessment criteria determined within the relevant National Core Curriculum.
The VET sector comprises upper secondary vocational education and training and further vocational training. Competence‐based qualifications provide adults a flexible way to enhance and maintain their vocational skills. In total there exists 52 vocational qualifications, and in addition there are nearly 300 further and specialist qualifications in different fields available. Vocational qualifications are divided in three levels: 1) Vocational qualifications indicate competence to enter employment in the field. 2) Further vocational qualifications indicate the vocational skills required of skilled workers in the field. 3) Specialist vocational qualifications indicate a command of the most demanding tasks in the field.
Vocational skills are demonstrated in competence tests irrespective of whether the skills were acquired through work experience, study or other activities. What matters is possessing skills and competencies required in the profession.
In order to complete a competence‐based qualification, candidates must demonstrate certain skills and competence required in the profession. These skills are outlined in the Requirements of Competence‐based Qualifications defined by the Finnish National Board of Education.
Higher education
This list is limited with the same principles as a list of qualifications of upper secondary education.
The list concentrates on blue logistics and blue economy and blue economy is defined as tourism and fishery. There exists several institutions in Finland that organize education related to blue logistics and blue economy butt organizing institutions are not listed below.
There exist more differences in the content of the qualifications of higher education when comparing to the upper secondary education level. The name of the degree may be the same (for example master of engineering) even though students are studying different specialities so also subject field is added to this list to give a more precise idea of the content of the educations.
Doctor’s qualifications are not listed at all.
Structure of the national education system
Age of students Programme duration (years)
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Countries#description
