Finland

Adult education in Finland is governed by the Ministry of Education and Culture which is responsible for policy, legislation and strategic steering, and implemented by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), which oversees curricula (up to upper secondary level), development work and internationalisation. EDUFI also acts as Finland’s Erasmus+ National Agency.

Adult education is organised across four main sectors:

Liberal adult education (non-formal education)

• e.g. Folk High Schools, Adult Education Centres, Learning Centres, Summer Universities
• the purpose is to provide education and training that promotes people’s versatile development, well-being, democracy, sustainable development, pluralism, multiculturalism, and internationalization
• the content is not governed by legislation, and education providers make decisions regarding the objectives and content of the studies that do not result in a degree or qualification

Basic and general upper secondary education for adults

• offered by various schools and institutions
• organized through Employment and Economic Development Offices. 
• for migrants to acquire sufficient linguistic (Finnish or Swedish), social, cultural and life management skills
• General upper secondary schools for adults offer basic and general education, both in face-to-face and online formats

Vocational education and training

• initial, further and specialist vocational qualifications in upper secondary vocational colleges

Higher education

• degrees, open studies, professional specialisation studies, or in-service training

Adult education is financed through a mix of state funding, municipal contributions, project-based funding (including Erasmus+), participant fees and employer funding.

Finnish adult education policies are closely linked to broader national and European objectives around continuous learning and reskilling; ensuring labour market relevance and increasing productivity; inclusion and equity; digital transformation; and active citizenship and democratic participation.
Source of information: Ministry of Education and Culture, RIA-AE Survey, Riikka Suhonen