SEDU CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

Picture of SEDU’s Director, Mr Pasi Artikainen

This year, Sedu – a major vocational education provider in South Ostrobothnia, Finland – celebrates its 20th anniversary. Since its establishment in 2005, Sedu has grown through mergers of regional institutions and has become a key player in vocational training, firmly rooted in collaboration with the world of work.

“Sedu is a responsible partner,” says Director and Principal of Seinäjoki Joint Municipal Authority for Education, Pasi Artikainen. “The 2018 reform of vocational education in Finland deepened our cooperation with employers. Today, Sedu works with around 7,000 companies that offer on-the-job learning opportunities to students. The concerns raised during the reform never materialised.”

Sedu’s strong ties with working life are a clear strength of the Finnish education system. “In Finland, cooperation with employers is taken for granted, unlike in many other countries,” Artikainen notes. Over half of Sedu's students are employed at their training placement companies after graduation. Employers highlighted this as one of the most effective recruitment methods in a 2025 study from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Sedu keeps pace with change by following regional needs, addressing skills gaps, and responding to megatrends such as the green transition. “We develop proactively – both through internal efforts and through externally funded projects,” says Development Manager Marja-Terttu Kurunsaari. “Project-based work has brought us resources, networks, and a spirit of innovation.”

Sedu has been active in international cooperation since the 1990s. Mobility and project partnerships continue to grow within established networks. Through Erasmus+ funding, both students and staff have the opportunity to gain international experience and share expertise with European partners.

To mark the 20-year journey, Sedu has launched a dedicated website that highlights key events and milestones from the past two decades. Discover Sedu’s story at: tarina.sedu.fi