Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services

A cook who has completed the qualification knows how to

• work in food preparation tasks at restaurants with different business ideas or missions or in public sector units
• prepare tasty, nutritious and wholesome food, taking special diets into account
• set out food as individual plated dishes or dishes for a large group of customers.

The studies include theory and practical training at the institution, e-learning and studing under a training contract, or apprenticeship in working life.  Competence is demonstrated by practical work in real working life situations.

In generally studies are organised on the daytime basis, from Monday to Friday. During the periods of learning in the working life, the students follow the working hours of the workplace.

The studies take place in Hiekkaharju Campus, Tennistie 1, 01370 Vantaa.

The duration of the studies is determined by the Personal Skills Development Plan (HOKS), which is updated during the studies.

The estimated duration of the education and training is 2,5-3 years.

Vocational upper secondary qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services is composed of the vocational units (145 credits) and the common units (35 credits). The programme also includes studies that support study readiness, such as the Finnish language and working life in Finland.

Education in Vantaa Vocational College Varia is free of charge and so is a daily lunch. At the beginning the students are required to purchase uniforms, one for the kitchen and one for the customer service, and professional shoes, set of knives and study books. All this adds up to approximately 550 euros. There is no need to buy anything before you start your studies.

Applicants under 18 years of age who have completed comprehensive School in Finland are entitled to free learning materials.

Language requirement is fluent English.

Admission will be based on an interview. In the interview, we will focus on the following issues and the scoring (0- 25) will be as follows:

• Motivation and interaction skills, max 10 points
• Suitability for the Hospitality Industry, max 10 points
• Work experience in the field and Finnish language skills are considered an advantage, a maximum of 5points. (Demonstrated work experience and knowledge of Finnish language must be shown with a certificate)

The interview will be held on campus, not online.

Read more about student selection criteria for  Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services on Opintopolku here.