Western Europe
Finland
After a nine-year comprehensive school, most
students in Finland go to a lukio (high school), which prepares them for tertiary education or a vocational school. Both forms of education last three years and prepares students to enter a university or ammattikorkeakoulus
(Finnish polytechnics). After completing secondary education, a student can enter higher vocational schools or universities.
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Norway
In Norway, around half of the students who enter upper secondary education follow the one of nine vocational programs offered. These programs typically consist of two years in school and then two years of apprenticeship in a company. The first year combines vocational education and introductory knowledge, while, in the second year, the courses become more trade-oriented. After the two years of vocational school, students can opt for a third year in the general program as an alternative to the apprenticeship. Upper secondary VET graduates may go directly to vocational technical colleges, and others who wish to go to a university must take one more year of schooling.
Sweden
Upper secondary education in Sweden is divided into 13 vocational and four academic national programs. Both programs offer broad general education and eligibility for students to enter postsecondary education. There are also local programs designed to meet the local and individual needs. Vocational programs include 15 weeks of workplace training over a three-year period. Most regions have advisory boards, such as program councils and vocational councils composed of employers and employees representatives from the local areas. These councils advise schools on such issues as provision of workplace training courses, equipment purchase and training of supervisors in APU.
Switzerland
Nearly two-thirds of students entering upper secondary education go into the vocational education and training system. Students spend their time in a vocational school and doing an apprenticeship at a company. For most programs, students attend industry courses at an industry training center so they can develop the needed practical skills relating to their potential occupation. Switzerland offers vocational education and training programs at the upper-secondary level, and professional education and training programs at the tertiary B level.
United Kingdom
Further education institutions in the United Kingdom consist of sixth-form colleges, tertiary colleges and further education colleges. Colleges of further education offer both IVET and CVET. Most colleges offer academic, general, degree and vocational courses. According to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service annual datasets, in 2004, FE institutions in the UK supplied 42 percent of students for higher education.