Int´l education is expanding in Vantaa

The IB CP training programme combines vocational studies and international education. Vantaa Vocational College Varia has become the second Finnish educational institution to be granted the right to provide IB Career-related Programme (CP) training, said the City of Vantaa.

IB CP training at Varia will begin in autumn 2024.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) has granted Vantaa Vocational College Varia a provision permit for an vocational IB programme. The internationally renowned and recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-related Programme (CP) enables combining vocational studies with international, academic training.

In addition to Varia, Educational Consortium OSAO (VET) operating in the Oulu region has been authorised by the IBO to provide IB CP training.

“It is great that Vantaa got the permission to provide IB CP training in Finland. IB Career-related Programme will diversify the study selection of Vantaa and Varia,” said Ari Ranki, Director of Upper Secondary Education in Vantaa.

The IB CP training at Vocational College Varia will start with a basic-level studies in IT and communication technology leading to a qualification in welfare technology installation. The training will begin in autumn 2024. In the IB CP training programme of welfare technology installation, instruction is given in English and Finnish. After graduation, a welfare technology installer can work as a technical expert in healthcare, sports or smart homes, for example.

“This is a smart move breaking new ground as well as an excellent addition to the vocational training provided in Uusimaa and Southern Finland. In the future, the training can be extended to Varia’s other basic vocational qualifications,” said Pekka Tauriainen, Principal of Vocational College Varia.

The IB Career-related Programme (IB CP) is aimed at young people aged 16–19 who are interested in international studies. Studies in the IB CP program emphasise lifelong learning skills, such as critical thinking, communication and interaction skills, and commitment to intercultural interaction. The studies provide students with an excellent foundation for further studies.

“CP’s flexible way of combining vocational studies with IB studies allows educational institutions to respond to students’ different needs and backgrounds,” Ari Ranki said.

Varia’s IB CP programme is a step towards wider IB offering in Vantaa

Vantaa is the first municipal education provider in Finland to be authorised by the IBO to teach both the IB Diploma Programme, which prepares students for the international matriculation examination, and the vocational IB Career-related Programme. IB Diploma Programme training is provided at Tikkurilan lukio IB World School in Vantaa. In the future, the city aims to expand international education to other IB training programmes, such as the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for 3–12-year-olds and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 11–16-year-olds.

The application period for the IB CP training of a welfare technology installer at the Vocational College Varia is open 5–23 August 2024. Young people between the ages of 15 and 18 who have completed comprehensive school or equivalent education, and who have good oral and written proficiency in the English language at the comprehensive school level, as well as sufficient proficiency in the Finnish language, can apply to the training programme. Varia will publish more detailed application instructions closer to the application period.

Go to Vocational College Varia's website here.