Distribution of Responsibilities

In Finland, adult education covers both formal learning (vocational education, higher education, basic and general upper secondary education) and non-formal learning (liberal adult education institutions). Adults can study toward a qualification or complete shorter competence modules. Qualification-oriented education is mostly free of charge, while many short courses, continuing education opportunities, and liberal adult education courses are fee-based but supported by the state. Funding and governance are primarily the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE), the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), and education providers. Adult education support was abolished as of 1 June 2024, and both the granting and payment of the benefit ended by the end of 2025.
 

Developments and Current Policy Priorities

Finland’s development of adult education responds to changes in working life, labour shortages, and an ageing population. Recent reforms have emphasised competence‑based learning, flexible study pathways, and the integration of vocational education for both young people and adults into a single system. The Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE), support the development of skills among the working‑age population, particularly through short training programmes. Strengthening digitalisation, foresight, and guidance services are key objectives.

Reforms to the funding system – such as the abolition of adult education allowance, the competence‑based qualification stipend, and job alternation leave – have shifted the focus towards the responsibilities of employers and publicly funded education provision. The TE24 reform (TE services reform 2024) strengthened the role of municipalities in labour market and education services. Current priorities emphasise raising the competence level of the working‑age population, providing education for immigrants, expanding short training opportunities, increasing higher education offerings in continuous learning, and making effective use of EU funding. 

Participation in adult education

Participation in adult education in Finland is high by international standards. According to Statistics Finland, nearly every second person aged 18–64 participated in adult education in 2022. According to Eurostat, the four‑week participation rate among 25–64‑year‑olds was around 29% in 2024, clearly above the EU average.

Main providers

Finland’s adult education system is delivered through two main pathways. Formal adult education is offered by vocational institutions and higher education providers, which deliver qualification-oriented programmes and shorter competence modules. These qualification programmes are mostly free for adults due to state funding, while non‑degree continuing education in higher education may involve fees.

Non-formal learning is provided mainly by liberal adult education institutions—adult education centres, folk high schools, summer universities and study centres—which offer open, non‑degree courses. These are fee-based but state‑subsidised, with study vouchers available for groups such as immigrants, unemployed adults and older learners.Together, formal and non-formal education form a complementary system that meets both labour market needs and individual learning goals.

General adult education and ‘Non-Formal´ Learning

General adult education in Finland consists of adult upper secondary schools and liberal adult education institutions. Adult upper secondary schools allow working‑age adults to complete basic education or general upper secondary studies flexibly, often alongside employment.

Liberal adult education provides non‑formal, non‑degree learning opportunities that support general knowledge, hobbies, language skills and civic participation. Its providers include folk high schools, adult education centres, study centres, summer universities and sports training centres. Courses are open to all, fee‑based but state‑subsidised, and study vouchers can reduce costs for groups such as immigrants, unemployed adults and older learners.

Finland has a long tradition of liberal adult education, typically organised by associations, foundations and other community-based actors. Institutions define their objectives locally, based on regional educational and cultural needs. Its role has grown particularly in strengthening basic skills—literacy, digital skills and language learning for immigrants—supported by targeted state funding.

General and interest-oriented institutions:

• Adult upper secondary schools
• Folk high schools
• Adult education centres
• Study centres
• Sports training centres
• Music institutes (and other basic education in the arts institutions)
• Summer universities

Vocational Institutions and career-related training

In Finland, vocational adult education forms a unified system in which the structures for vocational education for young people and adults are integrated. Vocational education is competence‑based, and adults can complete full qualifications, individual units of a qualification, or shorter competence modules. Most education is qualification‑oriented and free of charge for learners, and its provision is funded through the state budget. Apprenticeship training also plays a key role in developing adults’ skills; it is primarily work‑based learning, with content tailored to the learner’s individual competence needs. Reforms to the vocational education funding model have placed particular emphasis on modular competence packages that respond to labour market needs.

In addition to vocational institutions, universities of applied sciences and universities offer adult education and career‑long competence development through their centres for continuous learning, providing work‑oriented further and continuing education. Liberal adult education institutions, craft and design organisations, home economics advisory bodies and commercial providers complement the system by offering non‑formal and labour‑market‑relevant learning opportunities for different target groups. Moreover, the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE) finances the development of skills among the working‑age population and supports short training programmes that address regional and national labour market needs. This diverse network of providers offers adults a wide range of further and continuing education options, enabling them to update their skills flexibly at different stages of their working lives.