Vantaa Vocational College Varia provides vocational education and training to over 4,000 students annually across five locations in the city of Vantaa. The college has been operating since 1963 and offers qualifications in over 15 fields including hospitality, health care, technology, and construction. It aims to ensure all students can find employment, further education, or rehabilitation through cooperation with local employers and services like its One-Stop Guidance Center for young adults.

1. Welcome
Vantaa Vocational College
Varia

2. 13.5.2018 2
Vantaa
Vocational
College Varia
Vantaa Vocational College Varia 2016
 Founded in 1963
 Owned by the City of Vantaa
 3 000 young students
 1 000 adult students
 Staff 320; 260 teachers
 5 locations around the City of
Vantaa
 5 departments
 Budget 33 M€

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Vantaa Vocational College Varia

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5. Personnel
• 260 teachers
• 6 Special teachers
• 3 School social workers
• 8 Student counselors
• 2 Psychologists
• 4 School nurses
• 1 Doctor
• 2 Youth workers
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6. Finnish Education system
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7. Structure of Vocational Qualification
Compulsory modules for all 35 competence points
Parts of Upper Secondary Vocational Qualification 135
competence points
Optional modules 10 competence points
• Vocational qualification is 180
competence points
• Three years training, 60
competence points/year
• Study time may vary based on
individual learning paths and
recognition of qualifications.
Compulsory modules Optional modules
COMPULSORY MODULES 19 competence points
• Interaction and cooperation 8 competence points
• Mathematics and natural science 6 competence points
• Social, business and labour-market subjects 5 c.points
OPTIONAL MODULES 16
competence points
• Arts and culture 7 competence
points
• Chosen compulsory modules 3
competence points
Vocational
modules
Common vocational
modules or module
from vocational upper
secondary
qualification
Module promoting
individual vocational
competence
On-the-job-learning,
minimum 30
competence points
Module from polytechnic
degree
Locally offered modules

8. Learning by Doing

9. Cooperation with the working life

10. Vocational Skills Demonstration
Skills Competition

11. International partners

12. 3D –Printing
3D -glasses
Simulators

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Vocational Qualification in
Hotel-, Restaurant and Catering
Services
 Cook
 Waiter/ Waitress
Food Production
 Baker-confectioner
Tourism Industry
 Travel Counsellor
 Visual Expression
 Photographer
 Graphic Designer
Hairdressing
 Hairdresser
Service industry

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Vocational Qualification in
 Metalwork and Machinery
 Machinist
 Plater-welder
 Building Maintenance
 Heating, Plumbing and
Ventilation Fitter
 Electrical Engineering,
 Electrician
 Construction
 Builder
 Crafts and Design, artisan
 Dressmaker
 Carpenter
 Surface Treatment
 Restoration Builder
Technology

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Vocational Qualification in
Social and Health Care
 Children’s and Youth Care
and Education
 Mental Health and Drug
Abuse Welfare Work
 Nursing and Care
 Care for the Disabled
 Care for the Elderly
 Practical Nurse
Social and Health Care

16.  Vehicle Technology
 Vehicle Body Repairer
 Vehicle Mechanic
 Logistics,
 Driver
 Warehouse Operator
 Aircraft Maintenance
 Technician
Transportation
Vocational Qualification in

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Vocational Qualification in
Electrical and Automation
Engineering
 Automation Assembler
 Electrician
 Information and
telecommunications technology
 Electronics Assembler
 ICT Technician
Watchmaking and
Micromechanics
 Micromechanics
 Safety and Security
 Security Officer
Electrical Engineering
Department

18. 21.1.2015
Best practices
• Multidiciplinary co-operation for example with
comprehensive schools and with other public
services
• 10th grade is located in Varia - an exceptional and
innovative solution
• Valma and competence recognition for immigrants
• Student activities:
 Tutor-activities
 Student union, student representativies:
asking the student opinions when needed in
school decision-making, events and other
activities.
• Getting to know the study fields
 Young people know what to expect,
qualification requirements
 Reducing the drop out level
• Good employment rate

19. 21.1.2015
Educational guarantee in Vantaa
Educational guarantee in Vantaa has been active for a long time.
Study, work or rehabilitation place guaranteed for all young
people (under 30 years old) within three months

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One-Stop Guidance Center
Ohjaamo helps young adults under
30.
Help for
• searching a job
• searching an apartment
Information about
• different types of financial
aid
• forms of social support

21. 21.1.2015
Workshops in Vantaa
for young people
• Cookery
• Carpentry / cabinet
making
• Surface treatment
• Clothing
• Vehicle technology
• Metal and machinery
• Arts and crafts

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Personal study plan and individualisation
process
• After the reform, every student will have their own personal
study plan
• Currently used primarily in adult education and in
apprenticeship training
• Individualisation process has three stages:
 Application for competence-based qualifications and for preparatory
training
 Acquisition of the required vocational skills
 Completion of qualifications.

24. Varia is
part of
City of
Vantaa

25. 13.5.2018Vantaan kaupunki, esityksen tekijä 25

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Useful links:
Finnish Education system and Vocational Education:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IOFH8yejsc&index=10&list=PLawa
xnFUcU3IntxhDlxB71-4_fyyvsJ0c
Finnish National Agency for Education:
http://www.oph.fi/english
For example VET curricula:
http://www.oph.fi/english/curricula_and_qualifications/vocational_upp
er_secondary_education
Vantaa Vocational College Varia:
http://www.sivistysvantaa.fi/en/varia/index.html