Methods of Practical Training

All degree programmes include a practical training, which consists of 20 weeks of full-time training.

The practical training can be divided into two phases: general training (6 weeks) and professional training (14 weeks). The training can also be completed non-stop (20 weeks).

General training concentrates on the field-specific work and industry of the degree programmes.

In professional training, the objective is to get experience in attending the duties responsibly and independently. The training tasks should also promote independent decision making.

Working hours, salary and insurances

During practical training, working hours are based on the Working Hours Act and the collective labour agreement applied at the working place in question. Practical training can also be completed as part-time work, in which case arrangements are made with the teacher supervising the training.

The amount of salary is between the employee and the student. The salary may vary, for example, depending on the trainee’s previous education and working experience.

Students doing paid practical training are included in the statutory accident insurance of the employer. Students doing unpaid practical training are included in the student insurance of the Oulu Region Joint Authority for Education.

Documenting the practical training

Plan for applying to training

Before starting practical training, the students write a plan, in which they list their own objectives and the organisations, where they intend to apply for a training position.

Training contract

Before starting their practical training, students make written contracts with the employers of all their practical training positions. Practical training cannot be started before the teacher has approved the contract.

Training plan

In the beginning of the professional training, students write personal training plans together with their supervisors at the working place and give them to their teachers.

In the plan, the students set the objectives for the professional training and the main contents of the tasks.

Training journal

During the training, the students write training journals. The most important tasks of each week are entered in the journal. If necessary, the training journal can also be used to control the student’s working hours.

Training report

In the report, the students describe their employers in general, i.e. business, staff, organisation, etc. In addition, they describe the company/ community with respect to its different functions emphasising especially the student’s own field of expertise as well as their own position and tasks in the organisation. The report also includes a description of the tasks during the entire training period, the students’ own evaluation on their performance and the value of their work contribution with respect to the organisation and their own learning.

In addition, the students evaluate the correspondence of their education to the needs of working life and suggest ideas for development.

A short summary of the learning assignments of the practical training is also presented in the report.

Learning assignments

The training includes two learning assignments, which are completed during the training. The teachers give the student groups detailed instructions in seminars on how to complete the assignments.

Seminars

Start-up seminar

A start-up seminar is held before the training is started. The teacher arranges the seminar, and participation is obligatory. During the seminar, the students receive information on suitable working places and assignments as well as instructions for completing the professional training, on the evaluation seminar and reporting. In addition, the seminar provides information on the learning assignments to be completed during the training.

Evaluation seminar

When the training is finished, students report on their work at the obligatory evaluation seminar held at the school. The training reports, training journals and a copy of the testimonial of service are handed in. At the seminar, each student gives an oral presentation or a group summary.