Initial vocational education

Initial vocational education refers to vocational education leading to a qualification. Qualifications obtained in initial vocational education are initial vocational qualifications for which the required prior education is completion of the syllabus of comprehensive school education. The aim of initial vocational education is that once a student has obtained a qualification, he/she will possess broad, basic skills in an occupation and specialist skills as per the completed training programme.

Until 2021, initial vocational qualifications can be obtained either by completing a curriculum (young students) or by passing a skills examination (adult students). Starting from 2018, the initial qualification may also be completed as education in educational institutions, based on a training agreement, apprenticeship training and/or a combination of these. The scope of studies for initial qualifications is 180 credits, or three years. The education can be shorter than this as the student’s previous skills are taken into consideration. A skills examination can be passed without attending preparatory education for it by demonstrating in skills tests the knowledge and skills required for the attainment of vocational skills.