Special needs support and skills competitions in vocational education in Finland
Anu Kilkku and Päivi Pynnönen share insights in their blog post about special needs support, intensive special needs support, and skills competitions in vocational education and training in Finland. Special needs support in vocational education is based on the principle that each student’s strengths and support needs are considered individually.
Anu Kilkku
- Training Manager, Vocational College Live
- Member of the Skills Finland Board and Executive Committee 2022–2024, Coordinator of TaitajaPLUS competitions in 2017 and 2023 , Team Leader for Finland’s Abilympics national team in 2023
- Special Needs Advisor, Abilympics 2027
Päivi Pynnönen
- Trainer in Finnish Academy for Skills Excellence (FASE)
- Senior Lecturer, HAMK Professional Teacher Education Unit
Each year, around 301,000 people study in vocational education and training in Finland, and approximately 9 % of them have a decision granting special needs support. Special needs support in vocational education and training is based on legislation. A student is entitled to special needs support if, due to learning difficulties, a disability, illness, or another reason, they require long-term or regular additional support for learning and studying to achieve the competence requirements or learning objectives set out in the qualification or training framework.
Special needs support means that individual arrangements can be made for the student’s studies, and these arrangements can be implemented in all upper secondary institutions. Special needs support may include for example co-teaching with a special education teacher, small group teaching in certain subjects, individualized teaching arrangements, alternative ways to demonstrate competence, diverse learning environments, and learning workshops. Special needs support in vocational education and training does not mean the same support for everyone, but rather that each student’s strengths and support needs are considered individually.
Intensive special needs support
Intensive special needs support is comprehensive and multifaceted assistance provided mainly in vocational institutions specialising in intensive special needs support. These include Aitoo Vocational College, Live Vocational College, Luovi Vocational College, Vocational College Spesia, Kiipula Vocational College, and Optima. These institutions have around 3,650 students completing full degrees and 435 students completing qualification units.
Intensive special needs support involves full-time study in small groups. In addition to a special education teacher, students are supported by an instructor or assistant, and learning is facilitated through individualised teaching arrangements, learning materials, and communication methods. Teaching emphasises learning by doing, sufficient practice time, and support for workplace learning and employment. Both special needs support and intensive special needs support may, if necessary, include adapted assessment or deviations from competence requirements and learning objectives. Both forms of support lead to an equivalent qualification certificate.
Skills competitions for students with special needs support
In Finland, the annual Taitaja event hosts the national skills championships for vocational students. The event includes dedicated TaitajaPLUS skills meant for students with special needs. These skills provide an opportunity for students to showcase their skills and strengths in the fields of vocational education and training.
Currently, TaitajaPLUS skills include restaurant and catering services, property management, business, cleaning services, and logistics. Special needs support is considered in both competition tasks and coaching. Tasks are clearly instructed and shorter in duration. If needed, tasks can be read aloud to competitors. The competition area is designed to be as clear and easy to navigate as possible, and it must be accessible.
Competitors are supported and approached according to their individual needs, ensuring that everyone can succeed and demonstrate their skills in the best possible way.
Benefits of skills competitions for students, teachers, and institutions
What participation in competitions offers a student:
- Increased competence.
- Stronger commitment to studies.
- Enhanced professional skills.
- Improved self-confidence and social skills.
- Opportunities for networking.
- Better employment prospects.
- Visibility for the student’s skills.
What participation in competitions offers a teacher:
- Development of their own professional skills.
- Innovation and renewal of teaching practices.
- Increased networking opportunities.
- Strengthened collaboration with working life.
What participation in competitions offers an educational institution:
- Greater recognition of vocational education.
- A more positive image of vocational training.
- Natural cooperation with working life.
- Stronger collaboration between institutions.
- Integration as part of vocational education.
Abilympics 2027 comes to Finland
The Abilympics, the world championships of vocational skills for professionals with special needs, will be held for the first time in Finland in 2027. It will take place alongside Taitaja 2027 competition, creating the Skills Games mega-event at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The event brings together both Taitaja and Abilympics competitors and aims to promote employment opportunities for students requiring special needs support, advance equality, and strengthen inclusion and equal participation in society.
The Abilympics competition fosters collaboration between vocational institutions, networking among students and teachers, and the development of expertise in special needs support within both education and working life, at a national and international level, in an everchanging world where we need more cooperation in future.
