Evaluation of the vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology and the further and specialist vocational qualifications in production technology

Objectives of the evaluation

The evaluation was carried out in 2024 and 2025. The aim of the evaluation was to provide information on how well students had achieved the competence requirements and competence objectives of the qualification criteria and what kind of competence they had for working life and further studies. It also examined the quality of the pedagogical activities of education and the VET providers.

Main results of the evaluation

For the most part, the personalisation of studies is well implemented in the vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology and the further and specialist vocational qualifications in production technology. Processes related to agreeing on the division of responsibilities and documentation for the preparation and updating of students’ personal competence development plans, identifying and recognising prior learning and enabling students to progress in their studies according to their own schedule are well implemented by the majority of VET providers. The participation of employer representatives in the drawing up of personal competence development plans as regards workplace education and training was identified as an area in clear need of development for all three qualifications. Some providers of the vocational and further vocational qualifications also have room for improvement in terms of the individual choices available to students, the updating of personal competence development plans during studies, the acquisition of missing competences, the design of learning environments suitable for studies and the identification of the support needs of students completing further vocational qualifications.

The implementation of workplace competence demonstrations and the participation of employer representatives in the assessment of competence demonstrations are not realised in accordance with objectives in the vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology or the further and specialist vocational qualifications in production technology. Just under a third (29%) of the competence demonstrations for the vocational qualification and just over half (56–58%) of those for the further and specialist vocational qualifications were held at workplaces. VET providers justified holding competence demonstrations at educational institutions most commonly by citing the poor availability of suitable workplaces and, in the case of the vocational qualification, also the underage status of the students. The majority of competence demonstrations for vocational qualifications (60%) and approximately a third of those for further and specialist vocational qualifications were assessed without an employer representative.

Based on grades awarded for competence demonstrations and common units, the average level of competence among students completing the vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology is good. The most common grades awarded for competence demonstrations and common units were 3 and 4 (good). The proportion of satisfactory grades (1–2) awarded was higher for common units (35%) than for vocational units (17%). Cases in which assessment had been adapted or vocational competence requirements and key competence requirements had been derogated from were very rare. 

The key strengths of those graduating with the vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology or the further or specialist vocational qualification in production technology are basic professional skills, such as mastery of the essential machinery, equipment and tools of the field, welding and machining competences and occupational safety competence. On the other hand, some vocational qualification students also have room for improvement in regard to these. Furthermore, those graduating with a vocational qualification have room for improvement in their working life skills in particular.  Graduates of all qualifications also have room for improvement in mathematical skills and communication and interaction skills, where challenges were identified in areas such as reading and writing skills and written communication.

It is common for students to drop out of their studies in the vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology and the further vocational qualification in production technology. Of the students who had started studying for a vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology in 2021, just over half had graduated three years later. Similarly, of the students who had started studying for a further vocational qualification, just under half had graduated two years later. In both qualifications, a quarter of those who had started studying had dropped out of VET completely.

In 2019–2022, the unemployment rate among graduates one year after graduation varied between 15% and 25% for those with a vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology. Approximately 70% of those who completed a further vocational qualification in production technology in 2022 were in full-time employment and 15% were unemployed one year after graduation. According to VET providers, students' employability is most influenced by their motivation, attitude and good basic skills in the field. Learning on the job and good interaction and social skills are also important factors in terms of employability. In all qualifications, economic fluctuations in the sector and the resulting variability in the employment situation were seen as a significant factor hindering employment.

Publication and press release

• Publication: Professional competence and pedagogical activities in the vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology and the further and specialist vocational qualifications in production technology (in Finnish, summary in English)

• Press release: Cooperation with employers should be strengthened in mechanical engineering and production technology VET