Practical Training
Practical Training Opens Doors to Employment
Length and Scheduling of the Practical Training
Tasks
Finding a Practical Training Placement
Guidance on Practical Training
Written Practical Training Agreement
Paid/Unpaid Practical Training
Insurances
After the Practical Training
Experiences of Practical Training
Links
Contact information
Further information
Practical Training Opens Doors to Employment
Practical training is part of all the Bachelor’s degrees completed at the universities of applied sciences. It is an opportunity to apply to practice the things learnt, as well as to promote one’s professional development. It also promotes the creation of contacts with potential future employers, provides opportunities for finding summer jobs or fixed-term employment already during the education. A good practical training period improves the student’s study motivation and gives a realistic picture of the tasks in the field. As a consequence, some students also get a job or write their thesis for the same employer.
Length and Scheduling of the Practical Training
The scope of the practical training varies from 30 to120 credits, depending of the field of study. This equals 20–80 weeks, i.e. 5-20 months of full-time work. The practical training can also be completed in parts and for separate employers in Finland or abroad.
Students complete their practical training periods at different times of the year. Please see detailed information on unit-specific practices in the Study Forum workspace at Optima (user ID required).
Tasks
The purpose of the practical training is to familiarise students, under supervision, with the essential tasks related to the professional studies of the degree programme. At the same time, the students learn to analyse the development challenges of working life. The tasks should be based on each student’s individual learning objectives and the needs of the employer. The practical training coordinators or the practical training tutors of the units provide further information on suitable placements.
Finding a Practical Training Placement
There are various ways to find a placement. The students are usually responsible for finding a placement independently and should actively contact employers.
PointPotential.fi offers job and internship opportunities in Central Finland. It is also possible to create a personal online resume (cv) which can be read by employers.
Through Jobstep, the career and recruitment service of Finnish universities of applied sciences, students can browse practical training placements announced by employers. All the students and recent graduates of JAMK can register as job-seekers there. Some placements are also announced through the practical training coordinators of JAMK.
Guidance on Practical Training
Practical training is always guided and supervised. Every trainee is appointed a supervisor for the practical training period – both by the school and by the employer. Practical training guidance also refers to advance guidance on applying for a placement, and on defining the learning objectives and tasks performed during the practical training. During the practical training period, the employer provides guidance and orientation with regard to the characteristics and tasks of the field. Orientation into the work environment and work culture of the organisation is also an essential part of the practical training.
Written Practical Training Agreement
The employer, trainee and JAMK conclude a practical training agreement. The student fills in the information in the Asio and prints the agreement, which is signed.
Paid/Unpaid Practical Training
Practical training can be either paid or unpaid. The amount of a potential salary is agreed on between the student and the employer. Trainees who are paid for their work are in an employment relationship and make a work contract, in addition to the practical training agreement. Students can apply for student financial aid for the period of practical training, and the salary affects the amount of the aid. Students may apply financial support for practical training abroad and in regard to international students in Finland, also for practical training carried out in Finland. Please see detailed information on practical training practices in Optima (user ID required) in the Study Forum section Internationality through Studies - Practical Training Abroad or you can also ask from International Services.
Insurances
If the trainee is paid for the work, he/she is also covered by the statutory accident insurance of the company/organisation. Otherwise the trainee is covered by the accident insurance of JAMK.
After the Practical Training
A feedback discussion is arranged between the student and the employer in the organisation at the end of the practical training, based on the principles of developmental discussion. In addition, the student writes a practical training report.
Note! The employer must write a reference for the practical training.
The employer must also answer the feedback questionnaire of JAMK.
Experiences of Practical Training
”I learned incredibly much about working life through the practical training. In addition to developing practical competences, I realised how the entire production process of a company like this operates, and how many things must be taken into account. I find this was the most important thing about this practical training”
"It was interesting to participate in all the meetings regarding my own tasks. They gave me a clearer idea of what is done and why."
"Finally, I must conclude that the practical training did not meet my expectations – it surpassed them!"
(Quotations form students’ practical training reports.)
Links
Optima (user ID required)
PointPotential.fi
Jobstep
Minimum criteria for practical training guidance at JAMK (pdf)
The practical training process of JAMK (pdf)
Contact information
For further information please contact the coordinator of your degree programme or the Head of Department.
Further information
Tiina Saarinen, Coordinator, +358 50 529 1633, firstname.lastname@jamk.fi
JAMK, Career and Recruitment Services