The proposal for a law change related to education savings drove the government parties into an open conflict - and no wonder, because the savings package of 260 million euros included in the government's structural policy program from the very beginning foretold far-reaching consequences.
The general discussion related to the topic has focused mainly on the savings targeted at upper secondary schools and basic vocational education. Of course, they lay the cornerstone of general education and professional competence, but it is worth remembering that the need to develop competence does not end with the completion of a degree. Along with many others, continuous education in various fields of the construction industry is also a prerequisite for high-quality work. If implemented, the law change would also have jeopardized continuing professional education.
Not all trainings lead to a degree, but are still necessary within the framework of quality and regulations. Such trainings and certificates required by the authorities are required e.g. for waterproofers and building health experts, whose training throughout Finland is solely the responsibility of RATEKO. As the only vocational specialized educational institution in the construction industry, RATEKO produces training for supplementary, qualification and professional degrees and organizes degrees. RATEKO's position as a promoter and maintainer of the skills of employees in the field is therefore significant.
If the funding model for training that supports expertise and is even required by law is eroded, the consequences will be directly correlated to the quality of work, such as construction and property maintenance. The direction is inevitable, because the costs of developing the skills of working adults cannot be pushed solely on their own shoulders, nor on the shoulders of employers. The majority of employers in the field are small or medium-sized companies that are already struggling in a difficult economic situation. It would be unreasonable to impose additional costs on them.
The lack of a certificate or other training that promotes and demonstrates professional competence is also an obstacle to placement on the labor market. If training is missed due to a lack of funding, it becomes even more challenging to meet suitable employees and employers. The company may have an open job offer, but cannot find a person who meets the required skills criteria. The consequences of reducing funding are therefore not only limited to factors directly related to education, but also indirectly to the entire labor market situation.
Construction quality is something that regularly hits the headlines. When discussing it, one cannot ignore the factor behind quality – skilled, trained personnel. It's time to raise the question: is it worth risking the quality level in Finland by weakening the skills of the personnel? Is it simply possible to lower the quality of construction under the prevailing conditions? Although the pressure to save is strong in almost every sector of society, it is not worth allocating savings to those things that can cause expenses significantly higher than the savings.
The funding model related to education will inevitably change at some point and scale. However, its starting point should be specifically the needs of working life, the effectiveness of education and encouraging the production of specialized expertise in the field. The structural change in society is unlikely to slow down from the present, and keeping up with the change is essential. It is only possible through lifelong learning.
Heidi Husari
Principal
Construction Industry Training Center RATEKO
Write a comment