Finland is not only a global leader in basic education but is also very active in promoting vocational education internationally.

On April 25, the “Finland - Vietnam Vocational Education Forum” was held in Hanoi to introduce the overall perspective of vocational education in Vietnam and Finland as well as to share factors that have contributed to Finland’s success in vocational training. The forum also opened up many opportunities for exchange and cooperation between vocational education institutes in the two countries.

In attendance were Ms. Marjaana Sall, Ambassador for Education of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, H.E. Keijo Norvanto, Ambassador of Finland to Vietnam, representatives from the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training at Vietnam’s Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, representatives from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland in Southeast Asia, CEOs, principals, and representatives from organizations in the field of vocational education in Finland.

One of the core values of Finnish education policy is to ensure equal educational opportunities for every person, with all citizens to complete at least secondary school. After completing this level of education, about half of all students will choose vocational education and the other half will continue on to high school.

With more than 164 types of certifications, Finnish vocational education options are not limited to technical fields but also other areas of working life. Besides traditional industries such as construction, electricity, water, beauty, and cosmetology, Finnish vocational qualifications also cover areas such as tourism, business and entrepreneurship, healthcare, natural resources conservation, technology, social services, and hotels and restaurants. Circus performing is also a vocational degree in Finland.

In recent years, vocational education in the country has developed towards allowing students to continuously improve their skills and expertise. Teachers and vocational training institutions are constantly updated to keep up with new trends in work and life.

Finnish vocational education institutions have made bold changes to attract students and enhance output. State-of-the-art study environments, the application of the latest technologies, flexible study options, orientation counseling, and open events for students and parents, just to name a few changes at vocational education institutions, will ensure training quality and keep pace with the development trends of Finnish society and the world.

The Finnish Government aims to improve the quality of vocational education as a way to reduce unemployment and promote innovative entrepreneurship. On the one hand, innovation offers the opportunity to put new vocational skills, specialized skills, and advanced skills into practice. On the other hand, innovation in professional practice is the foundation for starting a business. According to an assessment by Omnia Education Partnerships, in Finland, up to 50 per cent of companies are founded by professionals with a vocational education background.

The exchange between Finland and Vietnam at the forum was of special significance in the context of Vietnam’s implementation of the “Strategy for the development of vocational education for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045” and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Vietnam. The forum also contributed to maintaining and promoting cooperation between the two countries in the fields of people-to-people and talent exchanges and education and training.

Ms. Sall said Vietnam has shown remarkable advances in developing its education system, especially in comprehensive education. “The country has also set an ambitious target and a new strategy of developing its vocational education system over the next ten years,” she added. “Finland has also recently undergone reform in vocational education. So, there are many policy elements and best practices we can share and discuss, to better align the vocational education sector to working life needs.”