IVET Study Finland Additional information

1. IVET Study FinlandAdditional information Tauno Kekäle Univ. of Vaasa Vilnius 26.1.2007

2. Legislation on IVET • Law: Laki ammatillisesta koulutuksesta 21.8.1998/630 • generic goals & level of studies • studies and planning of curricula: responsibility • rights and liabilities of the students • Regulation:Asetus ammatillisesta koulutuksesta 6.11.1998/811 • what must be included in studies, how many credits • which study areas • student evaluation and diploma • Curricula for respective field (from 2000)

3. What does state regulate on learning materials ? NOTHING. This system has been around “forever”. The curricula are from 2000, but the system of free tuition and books against cost have been around for longer than any of the interviewed teachers remembered.

4. Who are the authors ? • Authors are typically “known” VET or university teachers or specialists in the field. • Typically the publishers contact them and ask them to write the book; the publishers normally collect a team of authors to make sure enough competence is present.

5. What is the main drive to produce texts ? • The authors get a royalty to write the books. the royalties are not high, but the sales of the books are quite OK for books in Finnish or Swedish. Altogether could it be e.g. one month’s salary equivalent. • In case of producing e.g. slides, the drive is to have something to teach with.

6. What do the students say ? • As noted, this has always been like this, and the situation is the same in gymnasium/general second-stage schooling. • Typically (e.g. in my own family’s case) parents will pay the books and tools of the students. As their parents did.

7. Where is information about the books available ? • http://www.otava.fi/oppimateriaalit/luokka_asteet/ammatti_ja_aikuiskoulutus/ • http://www.tammi.fi/asp/empty.asp?P=3434&VID=default&SID=125652579128310&S=0&C=19831 • http://www.wsoyoppimateriaalit.fi/oppi/?aste=AI • http://www.oph.fi/verkkokauppa/ • and/or in bookshops’ pages, e.g. http://www.kurssikirjakauppa.fi/

8. Choice ? Conclusion from a couple of cases: it seems that if there’s no choice, then OPH provides it in the field (e.g. in textile work)

9. Meaning of textbook ? • E.g. in car engineering, the “textbook” is a series of books, one for each module (bodywork, electrics, engine etc), with teachers’ books from both main publishers • E.g. in textile work, there’s a separate book for each type of techniques (leather, fur, wool etc etc), often written by artists and/or teachers

10. Student subsidies • Students receive subsidy for their STUDIES, not for books only. From this they pay also accommodation, parties etc. Food (lunch) is free for students in vocational schools, as well as tuition. • General subsidy is between 21 and 213 euros (or 0 !!) depending on parents’ income and age. Amount of additional subsidy for accommodation is 80 % of rent, maximum of 171 euro a month and is paid on top of general subsidy for students who do not live with their parents.

11. 52 qualifications, 116 programmes ? • e.g. Car engineering qualification: • car painters’ study programme • spare parts sales study programme • car mechanic’s study programme • car salesmen’s study programme • car bodyshop engineer’s study programme • e.g. Textile engineering qualification: • tailor’s study programme • clothing seamstress’ study programme • fur engineer’s study programme • study programme for textile designer/modist