Vocational education to transform careers

Finnish educationist says it allows for upskilling, reduces unemployment

The UAE’s focus on innovation within its education system is paving the way for careers of the future, a Finnish education expert said.

“This new focus on innovation and entrepreneurship [throughout] education is a great initiative, as are the apprenticeship models [available in the UAE],” said Mervi Jansson, CEO at Omnia Education Partnerships, a Finnish consulting and training solutions provider that has worked extensively in the Gulf region.

“I would also suggest benchmarking the Centre of Excellence model in the EU to raise the profile of technical and vocational and education and training in the region.”

Vocational education and training should not only be seen as leading to blue collar industrial jobs, although these jobs are also changing due to digitalisation.”

Mervi Jansson | CEO at Omnia Education Partnerships

Why it matters

Unlike university education, vocational education typically prepares people to work in skilled crafts or technical fields. It has developed to allow for continuous upskilling and is seen as a means to reduce unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship.

Finland, which has one of the top education systems globally, actively encourages vocational education.

“Vocational education and training [VET] should not only be seen as leading to blue collar industrial jobs, although these jobs are also changing rapidly due to digitalisation,” Jansson said.

In Finland, 40-50 per cent of ninth graders opt for VET for upper secondary studies.

The UAE Government encourages vocational and technical learning, with public schools allowing students to graduate with a technical secondary diploma. These students can then go on to pursue further diplomas, or upskill to a university degree.

Encouraging numbers

According to the National Qualifications Centre (NQC), which regulates the vocational and educational sector in the country, and maintains a framework for qualifications, more than 4,300 students have graduated with technical and vocational degrees between 2015 and 2020.

There are at least 198 endorsed vocational qualifications offered in the country, including IT multimedia, meteorology, and nuclear power plant technology, and these are offered by 24 education and training providers.