What Is Fee-based or Commissioned Vocational Education in Finland?
Commissioned vocational education in Finland refers to fee-based training programs offered by Finnish vocational education and training (VET) providers specifically for international learners, organisations, or governments. The training is organised as paid educational service and can lead to an official Finnish VET qualification registered in the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) database.
These programs follow the same high standards as Finland’s national VET system. Finnish vocational education is known for its competency-based structure, strong workplace learning, and close cooperation with industry. All qualifications are built around a national competence framework and are regularly updated in collaboration with employers to reflect real labour-market needs.
Why Commissioned VET?
Commissioned vocational education is especially suited for
- International students who wish to obtain a Finnish vocational qualification outside the EU or through a sponsored program.
- Companies or governments seeking tailored training solutions for groups of students or employees.
- Learners wanting customized study content, adapted to local needs while still meeting Finnish qualification requirements.
Because these programs can be delivered internationally or in Finland, they offer flexible ways to access Finnish expertise in fields ranging from technology and ICT to health care, business, services, and more. Finnish VET is highly practical, combining classroom learning, online study, and significant work?based learning in authentic job environments.
What Do Students Gain?
Students completing a commissioned VET program receive
- An official Finnish vocational qualification (initial, further, or specialist).
- Strong, hands-on skills aligned with industry expectations.
Eligibility for further studies, including entry to Finnish universities of applied sciences and universities.
More information
Here you can find more information by The Finnish National Agency for Education.
