Finland: Vocational Guidance in Finland

In this chapter, we describe vocational guidance in Finland, the system and the actors. Vocational guidance in Finland is closely related to the main idea of supporting individuals in lifelong learning and continuous learning. In Finland, everybody is entitled to guidance services, whether or not they are working, studying or unemployed. Changes in the world of work, rapid technological development and an ageing population present challenges for vocational guidance in Finland. Clients’ individual and multifaceted needs place a demand on vocational guidance practitioners to re-skill and to up-skill their competencies and knowledge about changes in technology, society, the world of work and education. The reform of continuous learning, extended compulsory education and the national Strategy for Lifelong Guidance aim to improve people’s abilities to make educational and career decisions for themselves and to increase competencies that they will need in the future. Multisectoral and holistic guidance services are one solution to meet these challenges.