Project

OSU - Opettajaksi Suomeen

Project sponsors

Abbreviation
OSU
Project type
Development project
Focus area
Innovative Learning
Implementation time
1.4.2021 - 31.12.2023
Project unit
School of Professional Teacher Education
Financing program
Ministry of Education and Culture
Primary home page
http://www.jamk.fi/osu
Secondary home page
https://sites.tuni.fi/osu/
Project description
OSU – Teaching in Finland

Holders of a foreign teacher's degree need an official qualification for teaching to work in Finland. The Finnish National Agency for Education may order that additional studies may be needed in order to acquire said competence. The OSU project provides teachers with certification studies and thus facilitates their career path. 

Even after graduating, teachers with a foreign background often find it difficult to find work. The project includes a study path that focuses on career guidance. The project aims to ensure that teachers' professional skills are not wasted and that they are able to find it easier to gain employment that corresponds to their education in Finland. 

The OSU project is a joint project of five Schools of Professional Teacher Education, the coordinator of which is Tampere University of Applied Sciences, partnered with JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences and Oulu University of Applied Sciences.  

The project will improve access to education for people with an immigrant background and employment opportunities for educated teachers. 

The project has two paths:  
A. For teachers who need complementary studies to gain teaching qualifications. Includes individual pedagogical studies, Finnish language studies and teaching practice.    

B. Newly graduated teachers with an immigrant background. Career guidance, strengthening Finnish language skills and networking. Launches in 2022. Teachers with an immigrant background who have undergone the A path training and other teachers are also able to participate in this path. An online course for Teaching in Finland is also being prepared. 

The project includes 100 participants / teachers in training.

What is the equivalence decision? If you have completed a teacher's degree abroad and want to work as a teacher in Finland, you will need to have your degree be recognised. This is a decision that is issued by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Recognition usually involves an equivalence decision. The decision on equivalence specifies how much supplementary studies in Finland are required. For example, these studies can be completed at a School of Professional Teacher Education. There are five School of Professional Teacher Education in Finland. 

Project results

A qualification training was conducted in two implementations, during the academic years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, with a total of 11 participants (Path A). Eight participants qualified as vocational teachers.

Career guidance was provided during the academic year 2022-2023, with 5 participants (Path B).

A web course titled 'Valmentava ote opettajuudessa, 3 credits' was conducted 'Teacher in Finland,' maintained by TAMK.

Networking and mentoring collaboration took place through practical cooperation and visits to local educational institutions.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The significance of the training was substantial and pivotal in the career paths of those who obtained qualifications. However, clearer structure and more personalized guidance were desired for career guidance (path B).

Collaboration with the Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH), universities, and SIMHE has been ongoing throughout and beyond the project. Awareness of the target group and the training and services offered to them has increased among all parties.