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Education
In Finland, the proportion of people aged 25-64 with tertiary-level education has increased by 23 percentage points in 35 years. However, one in five remain with no educational qualification beyond compulsory education. 39% of Finns aged 25-34 have completed a lower or higher degree in tertiary education. This ranks Finland near the middle among OECD countries. The number of students in relation to teachers in universities has risen by around 70% in the period 1985-2009. 61% of university students and 59% of polytechnic students worked in 2009. The average duration of studies is 6.2 years in universities and 4 years in polytechnics. Nearly half of Akava members state that they need training to maintain occupational skills. 31% of employees with a high-level education attended non-degree training in 2011. For 4%, the training was not work- or occupation-related. Every tenth employee with a high-level education participated in work-related training either entirely or mostly during their own time. Responses of Akava members to questions regarding occupational skills and self-development:
90% feel that employers should place more emphasis on maintaining and developing employees’ occupational skills. 14% feel that being busy at work does not present any problem whatsoever when it comes to renewing occupational skills. 30% are of the opinion that no suitable continuing education is available. 10% feel that their competence is outdated and no longer meets the requirements of working life. A Glance at Akava 2012