Practical training is an essential part of polytechnic degrees. It is especially important in the processes of professional growth and growth of expertise. Practical training enables connection of theory and practice.
The extent of the practical training varies in different degree programmes and options from 30 to 120 credits in periods of varying lengths. The practical training is target-oriented and supervised learning.
Practical training is mainly completed in genuine working life environments in Finland or abroad. It can also be completed in research and development service projects of PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences. Practical training completed abroad must fulfil the Finnish educational requirements.
A practical training contract is made between PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences and the practical training place. If it is a question of paid practical training, an employment contract is also written for the practical training period. During unpaid practical training, PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences takes care of the accident insurance (for further information see the section insurance cover). More detailed information on practical training can be found in the directive on practical training and unit-specific directives in quality manual.
The aim of the practical training is that students in a supervised manner get acquainted with the practical work assignments that are central especially from the viewpoint of professional studies and develop their professional know-how and application of knowledge and skills in working life (Government Decree on Polytechnics 256/95). Detailed aims and tasks are defined for each practical training period.
Students formulate their own personal targets for practical training periods after discussing them first with the teacher instructor and practical training instructor. The teacher instructor is responsible for the guidance of the student´s or student group´s practical training and is the contact person between the polytechnic and the work place. (S)he is also responsible for the evaluation of the practical training. The practical training instructor is the student´s instructor in the practical training place.
Application for Practical Training Place
Practical training places are acquired as agreed with teacher instructors. Students mainly acquire the practical training places on their own initiative.
In Social Services, Health and Sports, most practical training places are acquired by the polytechnic in advance and they are distributed between students before the beginning of the practical training. In separately notified work places, practical training places are applied for electrically through the Jobstep-SoTe programme during the preceding semester. Instructions for the use of the programme are available in the quality manual.
Practical training places announced by employers are on view on the bulletin board of intranet. Some advertisements are also on the notice boards of the units.
Practical training places and project assignments can also be searched for at the career and recruitment service of Finnish universities of applied sciences http://www.jobstep.net (see career and recruitment services).
In addition, practical training places can be applied for through the websites of companies and organisations or employers can be contacted directly.
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