Finding employment after vocational education

Between 2024 and 2025, 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.

Timetable for the evaluation

We will start planning the evaluation in spring 2024 and will inform about the evaluation on this website and directly to the VET providers as the planning progresses.