For the past few years a special on-the-job training period has been included in the upper secondary training leading to vocational qualifications. During this period the students complete part of their training in an authentic working environment. During on-the-job training the students are supervised by professionals. Companies in the chemical industry offer positions for on-the-job training for example to laboratory science students and to process operator students aiming to a basic degree in chemical technology. In a similar manner, plastics technology students are completing on-the-job training in the plastics industry.

The success of on-the-job training requires functional connections between vocational training institutes and companies. Even though the training institutes carry the main responsibility for organizing on-the-job training, active participation by companies is required as well. During the on-the-job training period the companies have the chance to meet the young people entering the industry. This way, initiating contacts with the future professionals is easy. In 2006 on-the-job training will face a new challenge. Special competence-based qualification examinations will then be taken in use in upper secondary-level qualifications.