WinNova in English
Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy WinNova is a secondary vocational education provider (VET) for people of all ages, in or out of working life. Our qualifications correspond to EQF levels 4-5.
WinNova offers a wide variety of educational services, vocational and professional qualifications and short-term courses for different types of customers in Finnish. We work in close and long-term co-operation with companies and the public sector.
WinNova has 5000 students and c. 560 staff members (12/2024). There are close to 900 non-native students with over 60 different mother tongues studying in WinNova in various programs in Finnish.
Educational options provided:
- education leading to a vocational qualification
- education preparing for vocational education (TUVA)
- additional and continuing education
- face-to-face/online/hybrid training
- card training e.g in first aid, hygiene, occupational safety and hot work required by certain professional duties
WinNova provides among others the following educational services for working life:
- integration training for adult immigrants
- language training
- further training for those with professional qualifications in various sectors
- jointly purchased training to meet the needs of enterprises and other employers
- other types of market-based training, as well as education export.
Fields of Study Offered by WinNova in Finnish
Prospective applicants interested in our vocational studies must prove their Finnish language knowledge (A2.2-B1.2 depending on the field of study) either with a certificate or a test. Language tests for applicants are held monthly in Pori or Rauma.
The Fields of Study offered include the following and more:
- Aircraft Maintenance *
- Building Maintenance Technology
- Construction
- Vehicle and Logistics
- Hairdressing and Beauty Care
- Business, Management and Entrepreneurship
- Cleaning and Property Services
- Electrical Engineering and Automation Technology
- Food Processing Industry
- Forestry, Nature & Environment and Earthwork *
- Social and Health Care
- Restaurant and Catering Services
- Immigrant and Language Training:
- We offer Finnish language tuition as integration trainings to those registered as clients of the municipal employment services and residing in Finland – for more information(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- Workplace Finnish provides an opportunity to study Finnish while working in Finland – for more information in Finnish(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan)
- Information and Communications Technology
- Laboratory Technology
- Seafaring *
- Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology
- Process Industry
- Safety and Security Services *
- Tourism Industry
- Vocational Education in Media Services
- Vocational Education in Music
* The authorization to organize education in this field of study in Finland has been granted to only a limited number of education providers.
Training for Immigrants and International Students
We offer immigrants integration training and TUVA training that prepares them for studying for a vocational qualification, as well as card trainings, and various trainings tailored for the needs of students and working life. As a rule, applications for language training at the initial stage are made through the municipality’s labour authority.
WinNova offers vocational training to immigrants either in separate groups or together with native Finns. Studying for a qualification also includes developing language skills, and Finnish language support is available at S2 Language Labs in Pori and Rauma. Vocational education requires Finnish language skills. Applications for vocational training are made either on WinNova web pages or through the national Studyinfo(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun) page.
Finnish Language Proficiency Testing
WinNova’s degree programs have a language requirement. Sufficient Finnish language skills can be demonstrated with a language test or a standardized, approved certificate. A separate invitation to the Finnish language test will be sent to non-native applicants. The language test has four parts: speaking, listening and reading comprehension as well as writing.
As a main rule, language proficiency tests are organized on the first Wednesday of every month in Pori or Rauma from 9:00 a.m.
Bring your ID, pen and eraser. Come on time, because you cannot be late for the test. Be prepared to be there possibly all day.
Vocational Education and Training for Applicants from Abroad
Instructions and requirements for those applying from abroad in a nutshell:
- There is a Finnish language requirement for a reason: Teaching and qualifications are delivered in Finnish at WinNova. Therefore you need to be able to speak Finnish, understand the language, read and write at an adequate level when you start with your studies.
- Finnish language proficiency testing is carried out on-site in Finland, either in Pori or Rauma. The applicant’s Finnish language test has four parts: speaking, listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing. We expect you to know Finnish at a level of CEFR A2.2 – B1.2 depending on the field of study you are applying for. More information (in Finnish).
- To be eligible for a student visa, you need to be approved for a programme leading to a full vocational qualification and must have enough funds to support your living during your studies. The Finnish Immigration Service(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun) checks that you meet these criteria when applying for a student visa.
- Finnish institutions of vocational education do not charge tuition fees from students who arrive from outside the EU and the EEA. However, the cost of your studies depends on your residendence status and the type of education you undertake. The possible costs of each training programme are detailed in the application information for education.
- You need to provide truthful information about your state of health and your ability to function, which according to Finnish education legislation is required for working in certain jobs regarding the safety of minors, patient and customer safety, or traffic safety. More information (in Finnish).
- There is plenty of affordable housing available in Pori and Rauma and, overall, in the region of Satakunta. Unfortunately WinNova does not offer student housing.
If you are interested in studying at WinNova and need some help with learning Finnish and getting to here, please have a look at services available by our partner Edunation(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun).
Erasmus+ -mobility and International Project Opportunities at WinNova
WinNova is involved in several EU-funded projects. These projects lead to new pedagogical methodologies and learning environment innovations as well as pedagogical competence.
Staff mobility and projects expand the international knowledge and competencies of all our employees. There are approximately 100 staff members and different specialists that annually come in and go out on exchange.
Erasmus+ mobility grants enable students to go abroad for internships. It is a great way to improve the skills and competence to successfully manage in the global world and multicultural working environments. There are approximately 200 students that annually come in and go out on exchange.
WinNova has been awarded Erasmus+ accreditation (2021 – 2027) by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Erasmus+ accreditation means a quality-assured “Erasmus+ membership”. Accredited organisations have demonstrated the long-term nature of their activities and commit themselves to complying with the quality standards of the Erasmus+ programme.
Further Information and Contacts
For inquiries in English, please contact: international(at)winnova.fi
Educational services for working life
We cooperate with our partners in international student recruitment and commissioned training. For each partner, we conduct a survey of a reliable partner and undergo contract negotiations, after which we select training programs according to the needs of the region and the target groups.
Director, Work-Life Services Ms Teija Harju
teija.harju(at)winnova.fi
Erasmus+ -mobility Contact Persons
Development and International Operations – Development Manager
Ms Anne Vaahtio, anne.vaahtio(at)winnova.fi
Mobilities and International Operations – Expert of International activity
Ms Tiina Kallio, tiina.kallio(at)winnova
Aircraft Maintenance
Pori: Mr Hannu Lillomäki, hannu.lillomaki(at)winnova.fi
Architecture and Construction, Automotive & Transport Engineering, Electrical & Automation Engineering, Mechanical, Metal and Energy Technology, Process, Chemical and Materials
Pori: Mr Ville Salminen, ville.salminen(at)winnova.fi
Rauma: Mr Ossi Lindberg, ossi.lindberg(at)winnova.fi
Rauma, Logistics: Mr Henrik Halme, henrik.halme(at)winnova.fi
Beauty Care
Pori: Ms Satu Laiho, satu.laiho(at)winnova.fi
Rauma: Ms Jenni Pihala-Kaikkonen, jenni.pihala-kaikkonen(at)winnova.fi
Business and Commerce, Computing and Software
Pori: Ms Leena Seppänen, leena.seppanen(at)winnova.fi
Rauma: Ms Marja Mäntynen, marja.mantynen(at)winnova.fi
Food Sciences & Industry, Home Economics, Hotel and Catering, Tourism
Pori: Ms Annika Polvi, annika.polvi(at)winnova.fi
Rauma: Ms Päivi Suotunen, paivi.suotunen(at)winnova.fi
Forestry, Nature & Environment and Earthwork
Ulvila: Mr Teemu Välimäki, teemu.valimaki(at)winnova.fi
Health Care and Social Services
Pori: Ms Katja Saarinen, katja.saarinen(at)winnova.fi
Rauma: Ms Anna-Maija Seutu, anna-maija.seutu(at)winnova.fi
Palmgren Conservatory
Pori: Ms Salla Vanhanen, salla.vanhanen(a)winnova.fi
Safety and Security
Pori, Rauma and Laitila: Mr Kalle Leppänen, kalle.leppanen(at)winnova.fi and Mr Erno Suni, erno.suni@winnova.fi
Organization
WinNova Management
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Juha Miikkulainen
- Principal Ms Taina Kivioja
- Vice-principal (Student services) Ms Fia Heino
- Director, Administration and HR Ms Diana Bergroth-Lampinen
- Director, Learning Environments Mr Juha-Pekka Koivusalo
- Director, Work-Life Services Ms Teija Harju
Organization of WinNova
Executive Board
Representatives:
- City of Pori (3 + chair)
- City of Rauma
- City of Laitila
- Pori Adult Education Institution
- Employee Groups
- Chamber of Commerce
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Juha Miikkulainen
WinNova is both Inspecta and ISO9001 certified.
Invoicing for Organizations
We Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy WinNova process and file our invoices electronically. Please, send your bills to us primarily as e-invoices.
Business ID 2245018-4
Electronic invoicing address 003722450184
Electronic invoicing operator Telia
Mediator (operator) ID 003703575029
If you cannot send e-invoices, deliver your paper-format invoice to the following address:
Länsirannikon Koulutus Oy
003722450184
PL 299
02066 DOCUSCAN
Please include the reference number WIN-xxxx-xxx in the invoice. Ask the number from your own contact person.
Links and Sources
- https://workandstudyinwestcoastfinland.fi/en(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.pori.fi/en/monipori-multilingual-info-2/(siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.rauma.fi/en/work-and-entrepreneurship/international-house-rauma/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://opintopolku.fi/konfo/en/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.oph.fi/en/national-certificates-language-proficiency-yki(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)