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.
Provision to raise achievement in basic skills

Provision to achieve a recognised qualification during adulthood certification

Competence-based qualifications

Competence-based qualifications in Finland are still composed mainly of vocational qualification units that are planned according to the learner’s individual competence needs, and the system is highly flexible and modular. Although the qualifications are vocational, a learner’s personal competence development plan (HOKS) may also include studies that strengthen basic skills—such as literacy, numeracy, digital skills, or Finnish/Swedish language training—especially when these skills are necessary for developing vocational competence or entering the labour market.

In 2026, the aim of vocational labour market training in Finland is to support adults’ transition into employment by offering the opportunity to complete a vocational upper secondary qualification, a further vocational qualification, a specialist vocational qualification, or individual units of these. Labour market training may also include further and continuing education in different fields, provided by vocational institutions, higher education institutions and private training providers. The training is free of charge for learners and is based on current labour market competence needs.

Following the TE24 reform (1 January 2025), responsibility for organising public employment services transferred from the state to municipalities and employment regions, and the former TE Offices were abolished. Municipal employment services now manage applications and student admissions to labour market training, while national online services continue to be provided through the Työmarkkinatori platform.

Funding, quality assurance and national steering of qualification‑oriented labour market training remain the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Culture, while the Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment (SECLE) supports practical financing and procurement, particularly for short courses and skills projects that strengthen the competence of the working‑age population.

Vocational labour market training is primarily targeted at unemployed adults and those at risk of unemployment who need a new occupation, qualification units or updated skills to access employment. It is free of charge and also available to individuals who discontinued higher education studies more than a year earlier, provided they can complete full‑time studies within 12–24 months depending on the qualification. Training also includes entrepreneurship coaching for those planning or already engaged in business activities. After the TE24 reform, municipalities and employment regions handle admissions and guidance, while national funding and quality steering for qualification-based labour market training remain under the Ministry of Education and Culture. Municipalities may also organise joint procurement training with employers, open to jobseekers, entrepreneurs and employees.

Working life committees supervise the quality of qualifications

Provision targeting the transition to the labour market

Vocational labour market training

n 2026, vocational labour market training in Finland aims to help adults enter employment by offering free opportunities to complete full vocational qualifications, partial qualifications or targeted further training. Provision is based on current labour‑market skill needs and is delivered by vocational institutions, higher education providers and private training organisations.

Following the TE24 reform (1 January 2025), responsibility for employment services — including applications and admissions to labour market training — shifted from the state to municipalities and employment regions. National online services continue through the Job Market Finland platform. The Ministry of Education and Culture oversees funding, quality and national steering, while SECLE finances short courses and competence projects that support the working‑age population.

Training is primarily intended for unemployed adults or those at risk of unemployment who need new qualifications or updated skills. It is also available to people who discontinued higher education more than a year earlier, provided they can complete full‑time studies within 12–24 months. Entrepreneurship training is also offered. Municipalities may organise joint training initiatives with employers, open to jobseekers, entrepreneurs and employees.

Provision of liberal (popular) adult education

Liberal adult education in Finland aims to support lifelong learning by promoting individuals’ holistic development, strengthening their ability to participate in communities, and advancing democracy, equality and pluralism. The education is open to all ages but primarily serves adults, offering opportunities for personal development, general education and hobbies. See  7.3 Main providers

Liberal adult education institutions play a key role in immigrant education and integration, a role further strengthened by the Reform of the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (KOTO24), which transferred integration responsibilities to municipalities and increased the need for locally accessible training. These institutions provide literacy training, Finnish and Swedish language courses, and components of formal integration training. In 2023, the Ministry of Education and Culture allocated nearly six million euros to adult basic skills and immigrant language training, enabling institutions to better reach learners previously excluded from integration services. They offer education to both adult and young immigrants, including those under 25 and unaccompanied minors aged 16–17.

Liberal adult education institutions offer literacy and language training for immigrants

Liberal adult education institutions—such as adult education centres, folk high schools, study centres and summer universities—continue to play a key role in providing literacy and language training for immigrants, and their role in integration has strengthened. The flexible training model introduced in 2018 combines literacy education, Finnish or Swedish language studies, and opportunities to progress into practical, work‑oriented training. The education is free of charge when included in an immigrant’s integration plan, and study vouchers can be granted to others to support participation. The state has allocated targeted funding for basic skills training; in 2023, the Ministry of Education and Culture provided nearly six million euros for adult basic skills and immigrant language training.

The renewed model also reaches immigrants who previously lacked access to education, strengthening their language skills, employment readiness and pathways to further studies. As a result, liberal adult education institutions have become key actors in the early stages of integration, offering essential basic skills needed for both further education and employment.