Vocational adult education faces changes in funding and legislation. The evolving labor market requires adults to engage in continuous learning, but weak basic skills may hinder participation in adult education. Basic skills have been strengthened through studies supporting learning skills (OPVA) within vocational education.
The aim was to explore how the significance of OPVA studies is perceived and how these studies impact the support of basic skills.
The research analyzed the views of stakeholders involved in studies supporting learning skills. Interviewees considered OPVA studies a valuable opportunity to develop basic skills within vocational studies. On the other hand, the conditions for organizing these courses were seen as unclear, and the interfaces with preparatory education for qualifications (TUVA) and special support were considered challenging.
The examination of OPVA studies led to a three-level analysis: the support provided at the societal level, institutional level, and support received by the student levels. As the new vocational education legislation comes into effect, it is crucial to ensure that support for basic skills is included in the renewed support system, as there is an ongoing need for strengthening adults’ basic skills.
Link for the publication (in Finnish) is found
Parviainen, T., Räty, K., & Jahnukainen, M. (2025). Opiskeluvalmiuksia tukevat opinnot perustaitojen vahvistajana. Ammattikasvatuksen aikakauskirja, 27(3), 26–45.