Keskuspuisto Vocational College
Keskuspuisto Vocational College – Especially for You
Keskuspuisto Vocational College is maintained by ORTON Foundation as an upper secondary vocational special education institution and development centre for special needs education.
The College headquarters is located in the Ruskeasuo district of Helsinki and operates 16 additional learning units in the Greater Helsinki area and Province of Southern Finland. Over 1000 students participate annually in upper secondary education and adult vocational education and training.
The College is focused on the following educational tasks:
• to provide vocational special education and preparatory and rehabilitative training and guidance for students with special needs.
• to provide education and training leading to a vocational upper secondary qualification in 18 different study programmes
• to provide preparatory education for new immigrants to Finland.
• to provide adult education
• to serve as a development and service centre for special needs education.
Learning difficulties or disabilities are not a barrier to vocational studies. We provide each student an Individual Education Plan (IEP), flexible curriculum, low instructor/teacher-to-student ratio in the classroom and small study groups to facilitate learning. All the courses are designed to meet our students’ individual needs.
Innovative and varied teaching and working methods together with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for various study fields ensure that our students obtain up-to-date skills and competences that are competitive in today’s working life.
Our goal is to equip Keskuspuisto Vocational College graduates with individually-tailored vocational skills, the desire for life-long learning, and ability to integrate into society as empowered, active members.
In all our study programmes we follow the National Curricula which can be adapted according to the students’ capabilities.
Preparatory and rehabilitative education and guidance
Preparatory and rehabilitative education and guidance are intended for students who need practice in basic skills before starting vocational studies, or who find it too challenging to complete a qualification.
The scope and content of the education and guidance are determined by the student’s current situation—his/her individual needs, capabilities and development possibilities.
The objective is to plan suitable further studies or job placement that will enable the student to participate in independent life, employment, and studies to the best extent possible.
The core concept is to be located close to our students. We work in close co-operation with our students’ families/ guardians and home communities. We provide preparatory education in small groups where every student receives the attention they need.
Preparatory training for vocational upper secondary education (Preparatory I), 20–120 credits
The objective of the preparatory I training is to provide the student with a realistic perspective of their study options, the availability of different occupations, and possibilities in working life. The purpose of the training is to support the knowledge and skills required for completing upper secondary VQs.
Training preparing students for work and independent living (Preparatory Training II), 40–120 credits
Preparatory II training is intended to provide each individual student with the knowledge and skills they need for job placement and working life, as well as the ability to cope with everyday life and work situations.
Preparatory education for immigrants
The objectives of preparatory education and training for immigrants are to provide immigrants coming to Finland with capabilities to function as equal members of Finnish society and to promote their employment potential. One of the main objectives is to improve student’s Finnish language skills.
Upper secondary vocational qualification programmes, 120 credits
At Keskuspuisto Vocational College, students study towards an occupation in small groups, with emphasis on practical aspects.
The scope of upper secondary vocational qualification (VQ) is 120 credits, consisting of core subjects (20 credits), vocational studies (90 credits) and free-choice studies (10 credits). Vocational studies include the minimum of 20 credits of on-the-job learning. The completion of a vocational qualification takes approximately three school years though individual variations in the length and scope of studies are possible.
As part of on-the-job learning, students complete vocational skills demonstrations, which are work situations designed, implemented and assessed together by the teacher, the student and the representative of the working life. The evaluation of vocational studies is based on skills demonstrations that enable students to show through practical work assignments how well they have achieved the vocational skills required in working life, as specified in curricula. On-the-job learning and skills demonstrations are completed in authentic working environments.
The Keskuspuisto Vocational College offers Vocational Qualifications in the following fields:
• Audiovisual Communication (Media Assistant)
• Building Maintenance Technology (Property Maintenance Operative)
• Business and Administration (Merkonom)
• Business Information Technology (Datanom)
• Catering (Institutional Meal Production, Cook, Institutional Catering)
• Cleaning Services (Site Facilities Operative)
• Crafts and Design (Handicraft Design and Production, Artisan)
• Dance (Dancer)
• Electrical Engineering (Electronics and Telecommunications Technology, Electronics Assembler)
• Household and Consumer Services (Household Services Entrepreneur)
• Logistics (Storage Services, Warehouse Operative)
• Metalwork and Machinery (Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Fitter / Machinist)
• Music (Music Performance, Ensemble/Orchestra Musician or Instrument Maintenance and Music Technology, Piano Tuner)
• Social and Health Care (Practical Nurse, Study Programme in Care for the Disabled or Study Programme in Rehabilitation)
• Surface Treatment Technology (Painter)
• Technical Design (Design Assistant)
• Upholstery (Upholsterer)
• Vehicle Technology (Vehicle Mechanic)
Adult education
Keskuspuisto Vocational College’s Adult Education Services offer various training options for adults wishing to develop, update and supplement their vocational competence.
We provide support and encouragement for adult students who need to learn a new profession, seek employment; have reduced working ability or who need to upgrade or complete their vocational skills or competences.
The studies are implemented as contact, distant to multiform learning. Keskuspuisto Vocational College’s Adult Training Services cater for an average of 150 students every year.
Experiencing independent life in a student dormitory
Students are provided excellent opportunities to practice independent living in our dormitory. The dormitories are located within the college’s main campus next to Keskuspuisto Park and in Arla unit and are intended for students who can manage independently. The accommodation is free of charge.
Information about international co-operation, please contact:
liisa.metsola@keskuspuisto.fi
The education System of Finland
