Apprenticeship Training

Through apprenticeship training, you can get a flexible and practical education for an occupation that interests you. In apprenticeship training, you complete vocational studies at the workplace and theoretical studies at an educational institution in the field. During the training, you sign a fixed-term employment contract with your employer. For this period, your employer pays you a salary in accordance with the applicable collective agreement. The theoretical part of the studies takes place 0–5 days per month, depending on your qualification, previous education, and work experience.

An apprenticeship may suit you if you

• do not yet have a vocational qualification
• want to combine work and studies
• want to move into a completely new occupation
• want to develop your professional skills and competence

Through an apprenticeship, you can complete all upper secondary vocational qualifications: vocational qualifications, further vocational qualifications and specialist vocational qualifications. These qualifications provide general eligibility to apply to universities of applied sciences and universities. Completing a qualification usually takes 1–3 years.

You can begin apprenticeship training if you are at least 15 years old, you have a work place, or you are an entrepreneur.

Agree on the apprenticeship together with the employer and the educational institution.

1. Learn about apprenticeship training so that you can explain it to your employer. The Working Life Services of Turku Vocational Institute (TAI) pay training compensation to employers in recruitment training: 200€ per month for vocational qualifications and 100€ per month for further vocational qualifications. Please note that the training compensation may vary between educational institutions.
2. Apply for an apprenticeship position where you can study for the occupation you are interested in.
3. Once you have found a workplace, agree with the employer on salary and working hours. The working time must average at least 25 hours per week. If you are employed with a pay subsidy, the employer must apply for the subsidy before the apprenticeship begins.
4. Contact the Working Life Services of TAI to agree on concluding the apprenticeship agreement. If the educational institution is another provider, check with them who prepares the apprenticeship agreement.
5. Complete the electronic preliminary information form. You will receive the form from the Working Life Services of TAI.
6. An expert from the Working Life Services of TAI prepares the apprenticeship agreement between you, the employer and the Working Life Services of TAI. You must also sign a separate employment contract with the employer.
7. The Working Life Services of TAI register you with the educational institution, and the institution will contact you. After this, the apprenticeship can begin.

All vocational qualifications can be completed by participating in apprenticeship training. It is suitable for both young people and adults.

Vocational further education and training organised as apprenticeship training is usually intended for those who already have education, training or work experience in their field and who wish to complement, extend or deepen their competence. Competence acquired through apprenticeship training can be demonstrated in a competence-based qualification.

Apprenticeship training is mainly provided on the workplace, and the student has an employment relationship or a public-service employment relationship with the employer. Training provided on the workplace is complemented with theoretical studies, which are mainly organised by vocational institutions and adult education centres.