We, the organisations representing vocational education and training, as well as the labour and business sectors, are concerned that cuts to vocational education and training will continue. This would increase the shortage of skilled workers in the working world and jeopardise economic growth.
The government cut funding for vocational education and training by 2024 million euros in 120, which weakens the operating conditions of education providers. The cuts endanger the adequacy of regional education provision, reduce opportunities for continuous learning and weaken security of supply. The threat is that companies, municipalities and welfare regions will not receive the professional experts they need. Working life is already suffering from a skills shortage.
Raising the level of education requires that more and more young people with vocational qualifications continue to higher education. Those moving from basic education to vocational education must have sufficient skills to achieve the professional skills required in working life and continue to higher education. There is also a risk that the potential of foreign-language speakers (19 percent of students) will be left outside higher education if the education system does not recognize their potential. The pathway from vocational education to higher education must operate smoothly.
In 2023, almost one in five people aged 20–29 will not have a post-secondary education. It is important to provide everyone with access to vocational skills. Vocational education and training bears a significant social responsibility for students who need more support than usual. Education reduces the risk of unemployment and social exclusion, increases productivity and maintains social peace.
Vocational education and training is being developed continuously. Reforms in financing, learning support and operational management are improving quality and effectiveness. A prerequisite for success is that education providers have sufficient operational and financial resources to meet the skills needs of individuals and working life.
The majority of vocational education students are adults. In the future, skilled professionals will also need opportunities to change career directions or acquire additional skills, for example through vocational and specialist qualifications and by taking advantage of apprenticeships.
As working careers lengthen and the demands of working life change, continuous development of skills is essential. Needs are growing faster than funding. The costs cannot be left solely to employees or employers.
More than half of vocational education providers believe it is likely that due to the cuts already made by the government, savings or adjustment measures will have to be initiated or restarted during 2025. The cuts will hit continuing learning and the needs of working life particularly hard. Further cuts would endanger the operating conditions of vocational education.
Education should not be cut.
Signed in Helsinki on 19.2.2025 February XNUMX
The statement has been signed by 38 organizations, including the Finnish Construction Industry Federation. You can find all signatories in the appendix.
More information
Vocational Skills Development Association AMKE, Peter Pahlman, expert, peter.pahlman@amke.fi or tel. +040 015 1324 XNUMX
Construction Industry RT, Saku Lehtinen, education policy expert, saku.lehtinen@rt.fi or tel. 040 041 2057