Kajaanin kaupungin koulutusliikelaitos

Name

Kajaanin kaupungin koulutusliikelaitos

Legal name

Kainuun ammattiopisto

Website

https://kao.fi

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Readiness & College Prep (In-School) (EDAJAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Quality, Process Improvement & Lean/Six Sigma Certifications (EDAAANAC)

Keywords

• Vocational education training
• Apprenticeship training programs
• Sports academy education
• Workplace learning services
• Continuing adult education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kajaani

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding (Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö): Primary revenue stream from Finnish government per-student subsidies for vocational education and training, administered through national funding formulas.
2. Tuition Fees (Non-EU/EEA Students): Annual tuition fees charged to students from outside the EU/ETA who begin studies on or after 1 August 2026, per the amended legislation on vocational education fees.
3. Client Services and Student Enterprises: Revenue from customer-facing services including restaurant operations (Ravintola Kisälli, Ravintola Rosmariini, O'las), massage therapy (Vuokatti), hair and beauty services, auto repair, construction, metalwork, and rental of meeting and training facilities. Also includes student-run enterprises operating real business operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Kainuun ammattiopisto (KAO) is a municipal vocational education institution providing upper secondary vocational qualifications (perustutkinnot), professional qualifications (ammattitutkinnot), specialist qualifications (erikoisammattitutkinnot), apprenticeship training (oppisopimus), preparatory education (TUVA), and specialized sports academy programs. The institution delivers training across technology, health care, business, construction, agriculture, and sports sectors through campuses in Kajaani, Kuusamo, Vuokatti, Vantaa, and Suomussalmi.

Product overview

Kainuun ammattiopisto (KAO) is a vocational education and training institution operated by the City of Kajaani, offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services. The institution provides Perustutkinnot (vocational upper secondary qualifications), Ammattitutkinnot (professional qualifications), and Erikoisammattitutkinnot (specialist qualifications) across diverse fields including technology, health care, business, sports, and services. Additional offerings include TUVA preparatory training, continuous and joint admission pathways, and apprenticeship training (Oppisopimus). The institution operates specialized sub-brands such as Vuokatti Sport Academy for elite athlete development and Vuokatti-Ruka Sports Academy spanning multiple campuses. Supporting services include student restaurants (Opiskelijaravintolat), the Atomi document verification system, working life services connecting education to workplaces, international exchange programs, integration training, short professional courses, and client-facing practical services operated by students. The institution maintains campuses in Kajaani, Kuusamo, Vuokatti, and Vantaa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vuokatti Sport Academy: Sports academy campus in Vuokatti focused on wellness, sports, and athletic training with facilities including ice arena, swimming hall, gym, and ski tunnel.

Products and services

• Perustutkinnot (Vocational Upper Secondary Qualifications)
• Ammattitutkinnot (Professional Qualifications)
• Erikoisammattitutkinnot (Specialist Qualifications)
• TUVA (Tutkintokoulutukseen Valmentava Koulutus)
• Oppisopimus (Apprenticeship Training)
• Vuokatti Sport Academy
• Vuokatti-Ruka Urheiluakatemia (Vuokatti-Ruka Sports Academy)
• Työelämäpalvelut (Working Life Services)
• Kansainvälisyyspalvelut (International Services)
• Kotoutumiskoulutus (Integration Training)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 24 active development projects funded by EU structural funds, national programs, and regional development grants, focusing on skills gaps in wind/solar energy, digital care, circular economy, aquaculture, health/social care, language support, and entrepreneurship.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• VET2Sustain European Partnership NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025EU-funded project developing cooperation between vocational education institutions and working life across European countries. Partners include OMNIA (Finland, coordinator), MUOVA, VAMIA, Brahe, Samiedu, Luovi, Alfa-College (Finland), MBO Raad, Aventus (Netherlands), BBS-Syke, BBZ Dr. Jürgen Ulderup, HWK Hannover (Germany), Learning Digital, ENAC (France). KAO contributes through internationalization coordinator Risto Virkkunen.
• TalentTrekFinland Consortium (OSAO, OAMK, Oulun yliopisto, Oulun kauppakamari, KSAK, JEDU, Tredu, Kpedu, Brahe, KAO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025National development project coordinated by OSAO to promote integration of international students and professionals into Finnish labor markets. KAO participates as one of 10 educational institutions. Funded by ESR+ through Keski-Suomen ELY-keskus. Timeline: 1.9.2025–31.10.2027.
• Kainuun liitto (Kainuu Regional Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Regional authority providing EU structural fund financing for KAOs investment projects including 'Teknologia kehittyy' (€1.3M investment) and wind/solar energy training facilities. Acts as the primary regional development funding partner.
• Kuusamon kaupunkiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Partner in 'Osaamista kehittämässä' project along with Lapin yliopisto, KAO, and KSAK, developing flexible training solutions for tourism, restaurant, business, and entrepreneurship sectors in Oulu and Lapland regions.
• Lapin yliopisto (University of Lapland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Academic partner in 'Osaamista kehittämässä' project developing work-based training models for tourism, restaurant, business, and entrepreneurship sectors. Funded by the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
• Edukai OycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Edukai Oy co-funds the wind power and solar energy training equipment investment and provides short-term card/certification training programs (work safety, forklift, electrical safety) to complement KAOs curriculum.
• Kainuun Yrittäjät (Kainuu Entrepreneurs Association)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Regional entrepreneurs association collaborating with KAO and KAMK on the 'Tulevaisuuden yrittäjiä Kainuusta' project to strengthen entrepreneurial culture and student entrepreneurship across Kainuu's educational institutions.
• VIERKO II National Network (Keuda-coordinated, 71 education providers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024National project developing language-aware teaching and guidance in vocational education for multilingual students. Coordinated by Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä Keuda with 71 educational providers. KAO contributes through teacher Leea Mattila. Funded by Opetushallitus. Timeline: 1.12.2024–31.5.2027.
• Kainuun hyvinvointialue (Kainuu Wellbeing Services County)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024STEVOK project creates a network between KAO, KAMK, and Kainuu HVA to develop supplementary training for social welfare, healthcare, and rescue services professionals using digital solutions for cross-regional access.
• Suomussalmen kunta (Suomussalmi municipality)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Suomussalmi municipality partners with KAO to operate the Suomussalmen Taitotehdas vocational access point. Municipality provides facilities (Keskuskatu 24-26), coordination, and local work-based learning connections. Project budget €249,497 (EU share €199,595). Timeline: 1.5.2024–30.4.2027.
• KAMK (Kajaanin ammattikorkeakoulu)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024KAMK collaborates with KAO on multiple projects: 'Tulevaisuuden yrittäjiä Kainuusta' (entrepreneurship), 'Tuulituo' (wind energy), 'Teknologia kehittyy' (metal technology), 'Osaamista Kainuun datakeskuksiin' (data center skills), and 'Tulevaisuuden yrittäjiä Kainuusta'. KAMK start enables KAOlaiset to study at university level.
• Business KainuucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Regional business service network that consolidates all public entrepreneurship services in Kainuu under one address. Supports the 'Tulevaisuuden yrittäjiä Kainuusta' project by connecting KAOs student entrepreneurs with regional business development resources.
• Kainuun liikunta rymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sports association partnering with KAO on the 'Tuunattuna Duuniin' (TUDU) project to increase physical activity and health literacy among vocational students in Kajaani, Kuusamo, and Vuokatti campuses.
• JOTPA (Jatkuvan oppimisen ja työllisyyden palvelukeskus)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2023National service center funding workplace training and upskilling programs. KAO receives JOTPA financing for wind energy training ('Tuulituo') and circular economy/automation training for metal workshops ('Kiertotalous- ja automaatio-osaamista konepajoille').
• Savon ammattiopisto (Savonia Vocational College)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2022Collaboration partner in the 'Kiertotalous- ja automaatio-osaamista konepajoille' project, jointly developing circular economy and automation training content for machine shops with industry relevance.
• Erasmus+ (European Union)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020EU program providing funding for KAOs international student and staff exchanges. KAO has partner institutions in EU countries, Japan, Russia, and Canada. Erasmus+ grants cover travel, accommodation, insurance, and program costs for outbound students.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves1 record

Direct peers

• OSAO (Oulun seudun ammattiopisto): Oulu-region vocational college operating under a similar municipal federation model. Closest geographic and structural peer to KAO, coordinating the TalentTrekFinland consortium in which KAO participates.
• Vamia (Vaasan ammattiopisto): Vaasa-region vocational education provider with similar apprenticeship training and multi-sector qualification portfolio. Comparable as a regional Finnish vocational institution; VET2Sustain partner alongside KAO.
• Brahe (Brahea-keskus / Kpedu Brahe): Central Ostrobothnia vocational education provider offering comparable qualification levels and apprenticeship pathways. Member of both VIERKO II and VET2Sustain networks alongside KAO.
• Keuda (Keski-Uudenmaan koulutuskuntayhtymä): Municipal vocational federation in the Helsinki metropolitan area, coordinating the VIERKO II network of 71 education providers. Direct peer as a Finnish municipal vocational institution with comparable qualification portfolio and apprenticeship delivery.
• Samiedu: South Karelia vocational education provider delivering perustutkinnot and adult learning with comparable apprenticeship framework. VET2Sustain consortium partner.
• Omnia (Espoon seudun koulutuskuntayhtymä Omnia): Federation of municipalities operating vocational education and training in the Espoo region, offering a comparable multi-program vocational curriculum, apprenticeship pathways, and adult continuous-learning services. Directly comparable as a Finnish municipal vocational education provider with similar scope.
• Savonia-ammattiopisto: Savonia vocational college in Kuopio region offering perustutkinnot, ammattitutkinnot, and adult learning. Directly comparable scope and delivery model; explicit collaboration partner on KAO's circular-economy/metal-automation project.
• Luovi: Nationwide Finnish vocational institution with emphasis on inclusive and special-needs education. Directly comparable multi-campus vocational delivery model; VET2Sustain partner.

Broad incumbents

• Ammattiopisto Spesia: Larger national Finnish vocational provider operating across multiple regions with a broader special-education focus. Comparable as a multi-region vocational institution, though with a different pedagogical emphasis.

Others

• KAMK (Kajaanin ammattikorkeakoulu): Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is KAO's higher-education pathway partner in the same city. Included because it is the natural stackable-credential counterpart and joint-project partner (Tuulituo, Teknologia kehittyy, Future Entrepreneurs), not because it directly competes for the same student segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/kainuunammattiopisto
• Facebookfacebook.com/kainuunammattiopisto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kajaanin-kaupungin-koulutusliikelaitos
• Instagraminstagram.com/kaoinstag

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kajaanin kaupungin koulutusliikelaitos