27.08.2026

As skills need continue to evolve, work-based learning is becoming increasingly important for supporting transitions into employment. A regional analysis conducted within the QUEEN project examines how apprenticeships, higher education internships, and other work-based learning models can better meet the needs of students, employers, and working life in Southwest Finland. The findings reveal a strong foundation for collaboration, alongside opportunities to make work-based learning more coherent and effective.

Work-based learning is an integral part of the Finnish education system. It provides an opportunity to combine theory and practice while building connections to working life during studies.

In Southwest Finland, this objective is widely recognised. Both vocational education providers and universities of applied sciences regard work-based learning as a key pathway to employment and skills development.

In practice, however, the models differ considerably. This also creates an opportunity to develop them into a more complementary and coherent system. For many employers, different forms of work-based learning and the responsibilities associated with them can appear complex and difficult to navigate. Although work-based learning at different educational levels is based on distinct legislative frameworks, several common development needs have been identified.

Apprenticeships Provide Structure, but Need Renewal

Apprenticeship training is an established and well-defined model of work-based learning. Its foundation in an employment relationship provides both learners and employers with a clear and stable framework.

According to the regional analysis, its main strengths include:

• a strong legislative framework that supports quality assurance
• a clear division of responsibilities between education providers and workplaces
• positive experiences among companies, educational institutions, and learners

At the same time, several development needs emerged, particularly at the operational level. The large number of regional actors and differing practices can make the overall system difficult to understand.

In addition, changes in working life, such as economic fluctuations and rapidly evolving skills requirements, challenge the flexibility of apprenticeship schemes. This creates an opportunity to develop new and more agile approaches.

Work-Based Learning in Higher Education Is Diverse, but More Fragmented

In universities of applied sciences, work-based learning takes many forms. In addition to traditional internships, students engage in projects, development assignments, and research, development and innovation activities.

This diversity is one of its greatest strengths. It enables connections with working life in different contexts and for different types of learners.

At the same time, practices vary considerably:

• internship models differ between institutions and fields of study
• guidance and support are not implemented equally systematically across disciplines
• collaboration with employers often depends on individual partnerships maintained by educational institutions

Labour market developments have also affected internships in recent years. The increase in unpaid internships and growing financial pressures on students have become recurring themes in discussions.

At the same time, the situation creates an opportunity for development. Interviews conducted for the analysis suggest that the role of internships and other forms of work-based learning in universities of applied sciences should be strengthened, while there is also a growing need to clarify and streamline existing models.

Working Life Needs a Clearer Overall Picture

From the perspective of employers, the key question is not why work-based learning is needed, but how it is organised.

The analysis shows that employers value cooperation with educational institutions. Nevertheless, they often find the overall landscape of different work-based learning models difficult to understand.

This highlights the need for clearer communication by education providers, more consistent practices and guidance, and stronger long-term partnerships between employers and educational institutions. When work-based learning appears predictable, accessible, and easy to engage with, the threshold for participation becomes lower.

International Talent as Part of the Solution

Southwest Finland’s increasingly international talent pool offers significant opportunities. International students represent an important potential solution to skills shortages in many sectors.

Work-based learning can play a key role in this process. When students gain experience in the labour market during their studies, their attachment to the region is strengthened and their transition into employment becomes smoother.

However, practical solutions are still needed in areas such as language and communication skills, workplace guidance, and support for employers hosting international learners. Even small improvements in these areas could have a considerable impact.

Towards a Clearer Model

One common theme emerged throughout the analysis: the need to strengthen collaboration both between educational institutions and with regional employers.

The findings suggest that the greatest potential lies in closer connections between different levels of education. When apprenticeship training, higher education internships, and other forms of work-based learning are viewed as parts of the same ecosystem, it becomes possible to create more seamless learning pathways.

This could include:

• clearer and jointly defined service models for employers
• stronger investment in guidance and pedagogical support
• new bridging solutions between vocational and higher education work-based learning

Southwest Finland already has a solid foundation for development. A strong education system, close links with working life, and active development networks provide favourable conditions for progress. The next step is to connect these strengths more effectively.

When apprenticeships, higher education internships, and other forms of work-based learning form a coherent and understandable whole, they can support not only individual employment outcomes but also the vitality and competitiveness of the region.

This is not only about improving education. It is about how Southwest Finland builds a knowledge-based competitive advantage for the future.

 

 

 

The article is part of the activities of the Renewing Competence research group.

Photo: Tinksu Wessman