A new apprenticeship model is being piloted in the commerce sector – salary increases as degrees progress

The apprenticeship model is aimed at those completing their first degree and applies to the vocational qualification in the automotive sector in 2025–2027. The pilot company is the construction equipment rental company Ramirent Finland Oy. The training is organised by TTS Työtehoseura and Keuda Group Vocational Education and Training. The apprenticeship model’s pilot was agreed upon as part of the collective agreement negotiations in spring 2025.

The studies are tailored to the needs of the pilot company

A study plan that makes it possible to match the students’ competence with the competence shortage in technical trade has been created for the model. Students will first study at an educational institution for about a year, after which they will switch to on-the-job learning in the form of an unpaid training agreement. The final year of the degree will be completed as a paid apprenticeship. However, each student’s path is unique, and students can also progress faster if they acquire sufficient skills and competence.

To ensure that the students will receive adequate guidance as part of their apprenticeship, the pilot company Ramirent will train workplace instructors.

“The key to successful apprenticeship training is adequate guidance and a competent workplace instructor. It was, therefore, clear from the outset that as part of the pilot, the pilot company’s employees will be given the opportunity to complete workplace instructor training. We want to ensure that the students will receive the support they need and that the apprenticeship can be completed smoothly,” says Moona Naakka, Senior Advisor of Education at the Finnish Commerce Federation.

The salary model encourages fast graduation

The salary of the students participating in the pilot will increase as the degree progresses and as the student completes the vocational demonstrations of the degree. When the student has completed at least one vocational demonstration, their salary will be 60 per cent of the salary at the job requirement level of the task. When the student completes two more demonstrations, their salary will increase to 75 per cent. After five demonstrations, the salary will be 90 per cent. When all vocational demonstrations and general educational parts of the degree have been completed, the student will receive a full salary in accordance with the collective agreement.

“The model will encourage students to complete their degrees quickly. As their competence increases, so does their salary. The special feature of the model is that we have included the completion of general education studies as part of the salary model. The mathematical skills and language and communication skills learned during these studies are very important in the commerce sector, and we want to signal their significance to students as well,” says Eero Löytömäki, Education and Industrial Policy Expert at PAM.

For further information, please contact:

Moona Naakka
Senior Advisor, Education
Finnish Commerce Federation
+358 (0)45 651 8474
moona.naakka@kauppa.fi

Eero Löytömäki
Education and Industry Policy Expert
Service Union United PAM
tel. +358 (0)50 462 4697
eero.loytomaki@pam.fi