vocational education centre sedu vocational education centre sedu
passion for profession
Layout Sonja Makkonen/Vocational Education Centre Sedu Photos Vocational Education Centre Sedu Printed in Oy Fram Ab 2015 Š Vocational Education Centre Sedu 2015
We are delighted that you are interested in finding out more information about Sedu. Vocational Education Centre Sedu is among the biggest vocational education and training providers in Finland, with 4,200 students and some 600 members of staff. We are a high quality VET school with eight units in the western part of Finland, in the region of South Ostrobothnia. Together with Sedu Adult Education we form Sein채joki Joint Municipal Authority for Education. Sedu Adult Education, with close to 7800 students, offers adult learners flexible solutions and tailormade training paths in the form of competencebased qualifications or further education/in-service training. South Ostrobothnia, with more than 208,000 inhabitants, is the sixth-largest market area in the country. The region invests heavily in technology skills as well as food industry research and development.
Reija Lepola Director, Joint Municipal Authority for Education/Sedu
We at Sedu see the creation of open and flexible learning environments and individual study paths as essential for the motivation of our students and as a key to successful learning. The same can be said of the wide range of international study opportunities for our students and the many international opportunities for our members of staff. As an acknowledgement of excellence, Sedu recently won a national quality award from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Annually in January we welcome developers and practitioners of entrepreneurship education to an international conference in Sein채joki. ECVET and learning outcome based education are other issues which have been topics for expert lectures given by our staff in national and international events and an inspiration for a large number of study visits to Sedu. We hope that by reading this brochure you will find your own inspiration to visit us. We are looking forward to welcoming you.
Kirsi Lounela Manager of International Affairs, Joint Municipal Authority for Education/Sedu
Sedu offers vocational upper secondary education for 4,200 students • • • •
in 44 study programmes leading to 26 vocational qualifications in 14 different locations Provides work for 600 teachers and other members of staff. • Forms Seinäjoki Joint Municipal Authority for Education together with Vocational Adult Education Sedu • Situated in the western part of Finland, in South Ostrobothnia – a region well known for its entrepreneurship and the exceptionally large number of small and medium size enterprises.
TOWARDS SUCCESS AND SATISFACTION WITH EDUCATION, DEVELOPMENT AND UNITY Individualized study paths, project learning and a strong emphasis on internationalization feature in the provision of education at Vocational Education Centre Sedu. As a regional vocational upper secondary education provider, we have a mission to provide the students with learning opportunities that enable them to acquire the knowledge, skills and competences that meet both the needs of the students and the world of work in an optimal way. We see the creation of open and flexible learning environments and individual study paths as essential for the motivation of our students and through them the key to successful learning. We are constantly further developing different models of studying units of the vocational qualification, in working life, in co-operatives, in youth workshops or in student companies. We see
the trend that in the future there will also be study sector based knowledge centres developed in order to support both the excellence of Sedu students and the key economical clusters of the region. We are proud of the low number of our students dropping out from their studies, the high rate of employment after studies and our highly educated and skilled staff with initiative. Our students’ excellence in their vocational skills is measured yearly in skills competitions such as the International World Skills and national skills competitions, the Taitaja Event. Sedu will organize the Taitaja Event 10.–12.5.2016 in Seinäjoki. The training and coaching of young professionals for these events serve as a source of motivation and as a tool of development for vocational education and training.
Study programmes starting in 2015 Ilmajoki • Artisan • Rural Entrepreneur • Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
Kurikka • Artisan • Cook • Builder • Electrician • Electronics Assembler • Interior Decorator • Joiner • Machinist and Plate-welder • Pipefitter • Security Officer • Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
Lapua • Merkonomi (Study Programme in Business Administration) • Tourism Activities Organiser • Cook • Builder • Electrician • ICT Assembler • Machinist and Plate-welder
• • • •
Pipefitter Practical Nurse Vehicle Mechanis Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
Kauhajoki • Practical Nurse • Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
Sedu, Ähtäri
Finland and South Ostrobothnia Vocational Education Centre Sedu is a multidisciplinary VET institution. The language of instruction is Finnish. We offer one Study Programmes mainly in English. • Qualification in Business and Administration (merkonomi) Students who are not native speakers of Finnish are tested for their knowledge of both Finnish and English.
Lappajärvi • Practical Nurse
Sedu, Seinäjoki • Datanomi (Study Programme in Information Systems Development) • Merkonomi (Study Programme in Business Administration) • Hairdresser • Practical Nurse • Laboratory Technician • Cook • Housekeeper • Waiter/Waitress • Automation Assembler • Baker-confectioner • Builder • Earthmover Operator • Dressmaker • Driver of Articulated Vehicle • Electrician • First Level Emergency care (Trial Training Programme) • Foods Maker • ICT Assembler • Machinist • Meat Products Processor • Painter • Pipefitter • Plater-welder • Vehicle Mechanic • Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
• Forest Worker - Forest Services Provider • Forest-based Energy Producer • Forest Machine Operator • Cook • Builder • Electrician • Housekeeper • Joiner • Machinist and Plater-welder • Practical Nurse • Vehicle Mechanic • Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
Passion Profession Vocational education and training (VET) is popular among young people in Finland. Over 50% of young people applying to secondary level studies choose VET. At present there are 134 VET providers in Finland, but the number will decrease in the near future. The vocational upper secondary qualification provides the skills necessary for practicing a vocational occupation and eligibility for studies at polytechnic and university levels. The completion of a vocational upper secondary qualification usually takes three years for young people and less for adults with work experience. From 1st of August 2015 onwards the qualifications will be defined in competence points. Competence points are based on ECVET Recommendation and its description of ECVET point. The competence points allocated to the units of learning outcomes are determined on the basis of the scope,
complexity and significance of the related learning outcomes in relation to the vocational skills requirements and the objectives for learning outcomes attached to the whole qualification. A vocational upper secondary qualification requires 180 competence points (= 180 ECVET points). The qualification consist of vocational units (135), common units (35) and free choice units (10). Along with this change, the learning outcome based approach in learning and teaching is strongly emphasized in vocational education and training in general Finland.
did you know? The Seinäjoki Region is well known for its positive attitude towards entrepreneurship. Sedu aims to develop diversified learning environments for the students where on-the-job-learning can be done in cooperatives, JA Young Entrepreneurs or Practise Enterprise -programmes or in companies. Studying and on-the-job learning in Sedu is very flexible and can be adjusted to a student’s personal needs.
Studying in sedu ON-THE-JOB LEARNING AND SKILLS DEMONSTRATIONS On-the-job learning is work-based studying where the student learns the practical skills included in the qualification. On-the-job learning is minimum of 30 out of 180 competence points. At different stage during their training in initial VET, students demonstrate the skills they have learned in tests arranged as either practical work situations or as practical assignments. These skills demonstrations assess how well the student has achieved the competences needed in the labour market. The skills demonstrations are monitored by the teacher or/and workplace instructor at the onthe-job learning placement.
The scope of a vocational upper secondary qualification is 180 competence points, which is usually completed in three years Approximately 1/6 of the studies is on-the-job-learning, depending on the qualification Students who have completed a vocational upper secondary qualification can apply for admission to a university of applied sciences School year starts in August and ends in May. Summer holiday lasts for 10 weeks in June - Aug The aims and assessment criteria of the skills demonstrations are determined in the core curricula issued by the National Board of Education. The tests are devised and implemented in co-operation with business, industry and other employers.
THE FINNISH EDUCATION SYSTEM The Finnish education system has no dead-ends. Learners can always continue their studies at a higher level of education, whatever choices they make in between. The practice of the recognition of prior learning has been developed in order to avoid unnecessary overlapping of studies. Prior learning can be obtained both from other studies and from working life. The opportunities of students to progress from one level of education to
the next, is safeguarded by legislation. Both general and vocational upper secondary certificates provide eligibility for further studies. Students can also choose to study for a dual certificate by combining general upper secondary studies leading to the Matriculation Examination in their personal study plan.
Studying in Sedu gives a good idea about working life. The cooperation between companies and the school is present during studies – during our 1 month practice in Sedu we got to do assignments for real customers. The designing software and machinery was very modern. Jona, France
on the Vocational Education Centre Sedu has an extensive national and international co-operation network. There are valued partnerships between different education providers, companies as well as other institutions of work life. Vocational Education Centre Sedu offers its students and personnel a number of different ways to gain international experience. Student and staff exchanges are arranged through mobility programmes such as the Erasmus+ Programme and Nordplus,
F inland
Nordic Council of Ministers’ programme of lifelong learning. During 2013 more than 280 Sedu students and 110 members of staff, participated in an exchange abroad. Vocational Education Centre Sedu is also implementing different types of development projects which are financially supported by other EU programmes such as European Social Fund. The projects concern the development of teaching methods and materials and education products amongst other issues. We are continuously looking to widen our international partner network.
ECVET in Student Exchanges ECVET (European Credit Transfer System) is intended to facilitate the recognition of learning outcomes in accordance with national legislation, in the framework of mobility, for the purpose of achieving a qualification. From a geographical mobility perspective, ECVET aims at facilitating validation, recognition and accumulation of skills and knowledge acquired during a stay in another country, with a view to ensuring that such experiences contribute to the achievement of vocational qualifications. In Sedu´s student exchanges ECVET means in practice that a Learning Agreement (LA) is prepared for each student studying abroad. In the Learning Agreement the
home and host institutions define what the learner is expected to learn abroad (this is expressed in terms of learning outcomes) and how this will be assessed and integrated into the learner’s qualification. The LA also includes information on the learner’s progress towards their qualification at their home institution. The main point is that the assessment is undertaken where the learning has taken place.
Since 2007, Sedu has organized an Entrepreneurship education conference every January. The 2-day conference has different themes each year, which are related to current issues and trends in entrepreneurship education. The conference is held at the same time as Opinlakeus exhibition, which is the biggest annual education fair in the Southern Ostrobothnia region. Several VET schools, universities and other educational institutions promote their studies at the Opinlakeus exhibition, which attracts visitors consisting of both young people and adults. The Taitaja2016 event will be held in Seinäjoki, in May 2016. Sedu aims to involve students to interact with the
different co-operation partners at their events in order to learn event production tasks at a real event. Taitaja is the largest annual vocational education event in Finland. The purpose of Taitaja skills competition is to promote vocational education, improve co-operation between working life and vocational education and to increase people’s awareness and appreciation of various occupations and professional skills. Taitaja attracts over 40,000 visitors to take part in the event, which is held by different VET schools each year. The event also presents career opportunities and encourages young people to improve their vocational skills. For companies the event provides an excellent opportunity to meet the top experts in their line of business. Taitaja finals also include several international competitors from around the world, who put their vocational skills to the test and are compared to the best of the Finns.
Study at Sedu Sedu annually hosts close to 150 students from different parts of Europe. The exchanges usually last from 2-6 weeks, but longer exchanges are also organized. Exchange students spend part of the exchange at the school, thus providing a chance for Sedu students to internationalize at home. The main part of the placement is usually on-thejob learning in a company. The exchange students usually lodge at Sedu’s student dormitories. The student housing is located close to the school in all of Sedu’s study locations. The student apartments are equipped with all the necessities, and usually there is a shared kitchen and living space. Many Sedu students live in dormitories, and different free time activities are held there. Some dormitories offer sport, music and art clubs. Students have the chance to get active and meet people with a variety of sports, outdoor activities and the freedom to enjoy the natural surroundings.
The student dormitories are very good and located close to the school. There is a lot of autonomy for the students, and they are trusted also to work independently. Boris, France
Seinäjoki Sedu’s 14 study locations are situated in the locality of Seinäjoki, in South Ostrobothnia, Western Finland. The region of Seinäjoki is made up of nine municipalities and has a population of 150 000. Seinäjoki city is the lively regional centre of South Ostrobothnia and has a population of 60 000. Seinäjoki is the fastest growing city in Finland, and is known for its entrepreneurship and active business life. South Ostrobothnia is known for its production of foodstuff, hi-tech products, metal and wood. The region is the national leader in the production of foodstuff, and referred to as the Food Province of Finland. There is a vast food-related know-how concentrated in the region.
Food Province means more than just producing food from local ingredients. It is about the entire food chain, from field to the table as well as food-associated competence and business promotion. This also includes food safety, traceability and quality. The South Ostrobothnia region is diverse and there is a lot to see and experience. The region has a zoo, an amusement park and several different sports, culture and other attractions. The city of Seinäjoki also hosts a lot of events, such as Vauhtiajot, Provinssirock and Tangomarkkinat to name a few – these events attract tens of thousands of people to the city - especially in the summer.
Photo: Aarno Isomäki
Photo: Markku Katajam채ki
Photo: Markku Katajam채ki
Photo: Markku Katajam채ki
Photo: Markku Katajam채ki
Photo: Johanna Parviainen
Study Sectors and Vocational Qualifications
offered by Vocational Education Centre Sedu ILMAJOKI
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Plumbing, Pipefitter
Vocational Qualification in Construction •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Construction, Builder
Culture Sector
Vocational Qualification in Electrical and Automation Engineering
Vocational Qualification in Crafts and Design; Artisan
•
• •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Electrical and Automation Engineering, Electrician
Study Programme/Competence Area in Product Design and Manufacture
Vocational Qualification in Information and
Study Programme/Competence Area in Environmental
Telecommunications Technology
Design and Construction
• Study Programme/Competence Area in Information and Telecommunications Technology, Electronics Assembler
Natural Resources and the Environment Sector
Vocational Qualification in Metalwork and Machinery
Vocational Qualification in Agriculture
•
•
Technology, Rural Entrepreneur
Vocational Qualification in Safety and Security •
Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
KAUHAJOKI
Study Programme/Competence Area in Machinist, Machinist and plate-welder
Study Programme/Competence Area in Agricultural
Study Programme/Competence Area in Safety and Security, Security Officer
Vocational Qualification in Upholstery and Interior Decoration •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Interior Decoration
Vocational Qualification in Wood Processing
Social Services, Health and Sports Sector
•
Study Programme in Joinery; Joiner
Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care; Practical Nurse • •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Children’s and
Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services Sector
Youth Care and Education
Vocational Qualification in Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Services
Study Programme/Competence Area in Nursing and Care
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Cookery, Cook
Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
KURIKKA
LAPPAJÄRVI
Culture Sector
Social Services, Health and Sports Sector
Vocational Qualification in Crafts and Design
Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care; Practical Nurse
•
•
Study Programme in Visual Expression, Graphic Design Studies
Technology & Transport Sector Vocational Qualification in Building Maintenance Technology
Study Programme/Competence Area in Nursing and Care
LAPUA
Vocational Qualification in the Tourism Industry •
Study Programme/ Competence Area in Tourism Services, Tourism Activities Organiser
Business and Administration Sector Vocational Qualification in Business and Administration
Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
•
SEINÄJOKI
Study Programme in Customer Services and Marketing; Merkonomi
Social Services, Health and Sports Sector
Business and Administration Sector
Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care; Practical Nurse
Vocational Qualification in Business and
•
Administration; Merkonomi
Study Programme/ Competence Area in Nursing and Care
• Study Programme in Customer Services and
Technology & Transport Sector Vocational Qualification in Building Maintenance Technology
Marketing • Study Programme in Office Services and
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Plumbing, Pipefitter
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Refrigeration Fitting,
Vocational Qualification in Business and
Refrigeration Fitter (starting every 3rd year)
Administration program in English
Information Management
Vocational Qualification in Construction •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Construction, Builder
Natural Sciences Sector
Vocational Qualification in Electrical and Automation Engineering
Vocational Qualification in Business
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Electrical and
Information Technology
Automation Engineering, Electrician
• Study Programme in Information Systems
Vocational Qualification in Information and Telecommunications
Development; Datanomi
Technology •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Information and Telecommunications Technology, ICT Technician
Social Services, Health and Sports Sector
Vocational Qualification in Metalwork and Machinery
Vocational Qualification in Hairdressing
•
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Machinist, Plate-welder
Vocational Qualification in Vehicle Technology •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Hairdressing, Hairdresser
Study Programme/Competence Area in Vehicle Technology,
Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care;
Vehicle Mechanic
Practical Nurse •
Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services Sector
Study Programme/Competence Area in Care for the Disabled
Vocational Qualification in Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Services
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Care for the Elderly
•
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Children’s and
Study Programme/Competence Area in Cookery, Cook
Automation Engineering
Youth Care and Education •
Study Programme/Competence Area
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Electrical and Automation Engineering, Automation Assembler/Electrician
in Customer Services and Information Management
Vocational Qualification in Food Production
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in
•
Emergency Care
•
•
First Level Emergency care (Trial
Training Programme) •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Welfare
•
Study Programme in Meat Processing; Meat Products Processor
Vocational Qualification in Information and Telecommunications Technology • Study Programme/Competence Area in Information and Telecommunications Technology, ICT Technician
Study Programme/
Vocational Qualification in Laboratory Technology
Competence Area in
•
Nursing and Care •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Food Technology, Foods Maker
Work •
Study Programme in Baking; Baker-confectioner
Study Programme/Competence Area in Laboratory Technology, Laboratory Technician
Study Programme/
Vocational Qualification in Logistics
Competence Area in
•
Rehabilitation
Study Programme/Competence Area in Transportation Services, Articulated Vehicle Driver
Vocational Qualification in Metalwork and Machinery
Technology & Transport Sector
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Machinist, Machinist/Platewelder
Vocational Qualification in Building
Vocational Qualification in Surface Treatment Technology
Maintenance Technology
•
•
Study Programme/
Vocational Qualification in Textiles and Clothing
Competence Area in
•
Plumbing, Pipefitter
Vocational Qualification in Vehicle Technology
Study Programme in Painting; Painter Study Programme/Competence Area in Clothing, Dressmaker
Vocational Qualification in
•
Construction
Vehicle Mechanic
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Vehicle Technology,
Study Programme/Competence
Area in Construction, Builder
Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services Sector
•
Study Programme/Competence
Vocational Qualification in Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Services
Area in Earthmover Operation,
•
Earthmover Operator (starting every 3rd year) Vocational Qualification in Electrical and
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Cookery, Cook Study Programme/Competence Area in Customer Services, Waiter/Waitress
Vocational Qualification in Household and Cleaning Services
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Household Services, Housekeeper
Vocational Qualification in Wood Processing •
Study Programme in Joinery; Joiner
Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET
Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services Sector
ÄHTÄRI
Vocational Qualification in Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Services •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Cookery, Cook
Vocational Qualification in Household and Cleaning Services
Natural Resources and the Environment Sector Vocational Qualification in Forestry • •
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Household Services, Housekeeper
Study Programme/Competence Area in Forest-based Energy Production, Forest-based Energy Producer
Other options
Study Programme/Competence Area in Forest Machine Operation,
Preparatory instruction and guidance for VET (30-60 ECVET points)
Forest Machine Operator •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Forestry, Forest Worker/
The language of education in Sedu is Finnish with three exceptions.
Forest Services Provider
The Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care (Practical Nurse) and the Vocational Qualification in Electrical and Vocational
Social Services, Health and Sports Sector
Qualification in Business and Administration (Merkonomi) are
Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care; Practical Nurse
offered partly in English. All the applicants, whose mother
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Children’s and Youth Care
tongue is other than Finnish, are required to pass a
and Education
Finnish language test.
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Nursing and Care Applying to vocational upper secondary
Technology & Transport Sector
education takes place through the
Vocational Qualification in Construction
joint application system (www.
•
opintopolku.fi). Applying for the
Study Programme/Competence Area in Construction, Builder
Vocational Qualification in Electrical and Automation Engineering
programmes offered partly in
•
Study Programme/Competence Area in Electrical and Automation
English is done directly to
Engineering, Electrician
Vocational Education
Vocational Qualification in Metalwork and Machinery •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Machinist, Machinist and
Plate-welder Vocational Qualification in Vehicle Technology •
Study Programme/Competence Area in Vehicle Technology, Vehicle Mechanic
Centre Sedu.
FactsFinland Finland in Finnish: Suomi
Official languages: Finnish 89.3%, Swedish 5.3%, other languages 5.3%
Independent republic since 1917 Member of the European Union since January 1995
Religion: Lutheran (78%) and Orthodox (about 1.1%)
Population: 5.4 million
GDP: 37018 EUR per capita (2014)
Total area: 338,144 km², of which 10% is water and 69% forest; Europe’s largest archipelago, including the semi-autonomous province of Åland.
Education: 78 % of the population aged 25 to 64 have completed upper secondary or tertiary education and 35 % have university or other tertiary qualifications
Distances in Finland: 1,160 km north to south, 540 km east to west. Finland’s land border with Russia (1,269 km) is the eastern border of the European Union. Distances to Seinäjoki: Helsinki 357 km Turku 295 km Tampere 180 km Jyväskylä 197 km Oulu 325 km Vaasa 78 km Rovaniemi (Artic Circle) 543 km
Links w w w. ep ed u.f i Seinäjoki Joint Municipal Authority for Education w w w.ep l i i t to.f i Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia w w w.ep mat k ai l u.f i South Ostrobothnia Tourist Service Ltd. w w w.mi ned u.f i Ministry of Education and Culture w w w.t hi s i s f i nl and.f i Website produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and published by the Finland Promotion Board
It feels very safe to be in Finland, life is peaceful here. Spending time with the international tutors was very fun, and we got to see some interesting things! Irene, Spain
Photo: Tytti Kettula
CONTACTS Vocational Education Centre Sedu Koulukatu 41 FI-60100 Sein채joki, Finland tel. + 358 20 124 5000
info@sedu.fi www.sedu.fi