What is VAAO?

Valkeakoski Vocational College (VAAO) is a modern, ISO 9001 certified vocational upper secondary vocational school. VAAO offers a wide range of vocational studies in both youth and adult education. VAAO has over 1300 students. All vocational training is conducted in Finnish.

Vocational training programmes

• Motor vehicles sector
• Surface Treatment Technology
• Construction
• Electrical Engineering and Automation Technology
• Building Maintenance Technology
• Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology
• Restaurant and Catering Services
• Business
• Social and Health Care
• Hairdressing and Beauty Care
• Information and Communications Technology 
• Preparatory education for secondary vocational qualification (TUVA)

International activities

VAAO is a committed and active participant in international cooperation. We actively encourage our students to engage in internationalisation activities and regularly welcome international students to Finland for practical training placements.

As an Erasmus+ accredited institution, we maintain ongoing collaboration with a wide network of partner organisations and are consistently involved in Erasmus+ Key Action (KA) projects aimed at enhancing educational quality and international mobility.

About Valkeakoski

Valkeakoski is a town of some 21 000 inhabitants, located in the southern Tampere Region. With only 35 kilometers to the regional center town of Tampere and 150 kilometers to the Finnish capital Helsinki, Valkeakoski is very well connected. Valkeakoski has deep roots of paper, food and wood processing industry. Cozy but lively modern town, Valkeakoski (literally “White Rapids”) has worldwide international networks both in industry and in various fields of education. Valkeakoski city

Living in Valkekoski

There are also unique historic and cultural surroundings around Valkeakoski to enjoy. Valkeakoski offers you a wide range of free time activities regardless of whether you are a sport or a culture lover. It is a place you can live life to the full; work and study, go in for a hobby or just enjoy the relaxing surroundings of the beautiful shipping channels and waterways.

Valkeakoski Campus

Together with Valkeakoski High School and HAMK University of Applied Sciences, VAAO forms a large, cohesive Campus area called Valkeakoski Campus.

Interested?

International students have been a part of Valkeakoski for a long time, bringing little of their own culture with them. That’s why studying in VAAO combines cozy living near Finnish nature to vivid, culturally rich student community. Feel free to ask for more information!

Heidi-Maria Listo
Project and international coordinator
heidi-maria.listo@vaao.fi