14.06.2024
Government proposal jeopardizes vocational training network and adult career change
In the autumn, the Government will submit to Parliament a proposal for a law reforming the funding model for vocational education and training. The planned legislative change will not only cut funding, but will also make it more difficult to change sectors and retrain.
North Ostrobothnia is a province of long distances. Changes in the weighting coefficients of the cost groups and the division of the fields of education into the cost groups related to the bill may significantly hamper the ability of education administrators to organise training. Cuts in basic funding will easily lead to a concentration of training provision in large training centres. This undermines the accessibility of vocational education and training.
A large, skilled and skilled workforce is essential for security of supply. The proposal includes nearly 30 basic funds for the natural resources sector. % According to the assessment of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, the reduction is unreasonable. Discretionary funding increases the inequality of education providers and the randomness of targeting.
In addition, the proposal makes it particularly difficult to change fields and retrain. The proposal proposes that other vocational training in accordance with the Act on Vocational Education and Training, which is training that deepens or supplements professional competence, the aim of which is not to complete a degree or part of it, as well as the sections of the Act concerning personnel training, be repealed.
Vocational education and training could therefore no longer be used to provide training that deepens or complements professional skills, or to provide staff training. This change could, at worst, jeopardise the transition of occupations to sectors in need of labour.
Further information: Heikki Ojala, Regional Development Manager, tel. +358 50 4333 951 / heikki.ojala@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
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