PSK-Aikuisopisto / PSK-Adult Education Center

What PSK-Aikuisopisto / PSK-Adult Education Center does

PSK-Aikuisopisto is a private vocational adult education center headquartered at Veteraanikatu 2, Oulu, Finland, operated by the Pohjois-Suomen Koulutuskeskussäätiö sr foundation. Established in 1990 and licensed as a vocational adult education center by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 1999, PSK delivers Finnish-credentialed vocational qualifications (perustutkinto, ammattitutkinto, and partial qualifications) primarily to adults in Northern Finland. Its portfolio spans business studies (customer service, sales and marketing communications, financial management, entrepreneurship, business services), social and health care (care assistant training and, via apprenticeship, practical nurse training), and customized employer programs. The foundation was established by 52 founding members including northern Finnish municipalities and cities, the University of Oulu, and the Pohjois-Pohjanmaa hospital district.

Delivery is multi-format: full-time study, apprenticeship (oppisopimus), workplace-based learning, and blended/distance learning supported by Moodle (provided by Mediamaisteri Oy) with Microsoft Single Sign-On, Microsoft Teams for remote classes, and the Studenta student information system (provided by Solenovo). Each student follows an individualized Personal Competence Development Plan (HOKS), and instruction is delivered by a team of named trainers (kouluttajat) under the leadership of Principal Nina Räihä, with Education Managers Outi Heikkilä (business/entrepreneurship) and Marju Kyllönen (social and health care).

Revenue is generated primarily through government education funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture, supplemented by modest tuition fees (€400 per professional qualification course), apprenticeship revenue from regional employers (with the employer paying wages during workplace learning), and customized employer training. Distribution relies on direct enrollment via the psk-plus.solenovo.fi application portal, partnerships with TE-services (public employment services) for unemployed job seekers, employer apprenticeship agreements (including with Attendo for international healthcare students), and regional collaborations with OSAO, Ammattiopisto Luovi, BusinessOulu, and national networks such as Digikyvykkyys II (99 providers, coordinated by Omnia) and Strapetsi II (90 providers, coordinated by Turku). Marketing runs through psk.fi, a multilingual newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and participation in regional career events such as Työntaitajiksi and MegaMatchmaking.

Name

PSK-Aikuisopisto / PSK-Adult Education Center

Legal name

Pohjois-Suomen Koulutuskeskussäätiö sr / PSK-Aikuisopisto

Website

https://psk.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PSK-Aikuisopisto is a private vocational adult education center in Oulu, Finland, offering government-recognized qualifications in business, entrepreneurship, and social/health care to adults, immigrants, and regional employers through classroom, apprenticeship, and blended learning formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Adult Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAKANAF

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction)

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Transition Services (Post-Secondary, Employment & Independent Living)

Keywords

• Adult vocational education
• Business degree programs
• Apprenticeship training
• Professional qualifications Finland
• Social healthcare training

Headquarters

HQ city

Oulu

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Professional Qualifications: Professional qualifications (ammattitutkinto) charged at 400€ per course. Free for those studying with unemployment benefits (200€ for those on unemployment benefits in some cases). Government-funded labor market training available at no cost to participants.
2. Government Education Funding: As a private vocational education provider, PSK receives government funding for adult vocational training. Revenue comes from Ministry of Education and Culture allocations for arranging vocational education.
3. Basic Qualifications (Perustutkinto): Basic qualifications (perustutkinto) are provided free of charge for eligible students, funded through government subsidies.
4. Apprenticeship Training Revenue: Apprenticeship training where employers pay wages to students during on-the-job learning periods. Institution receives funding based on training arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PSK-Aikuisopisto delivers government-recognized vocational adult education in Oulu, Finland, offering basic and professional qualifications in business (sales, marketing, financial management, entrepreneurship), social and health care (care assistant, practical nurse), and tailored programs for immigrants. Training is delivered through classroom instruction, apprenticeship (oppisopimus) workplace learning, and distance/blended learning supported by a Moodle LMS, Microsoft Teams, and Studenta student information system.

Product overview

PSK-Aikuisopisto is a vocational education provider offering a portfolio of degree programs and training services primarily for adults in Oulu, Finland. The main product lines include business studies degrees (Liiketoiminta) covering areas such as sales, marketing, financial management, and entrepreneurship; social and health care programs (Sosiaali- ja terveysala) including care assistant and practical nurse training; and nature and environment programs. Training is delivered through multiple formats including full-time study, apprenticeships (oppisopimus), workplace learning, and distance/blended learning using Moodle and Microsoft Teams platforms. The institution also provides individual learning support through HOKS (personal competence development planning), student counseling, and career services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Liiketoiminnan perustutkinto (Business Studies Basic Degree, Merkonom) A 180-credit vocational basic degree in business studies providing comprehensive professional skills for business sector positions, with specialization options in customer service/sales or financial administration. Offered free of charge for eligible students; aimed at adult learners seeking a foundational business qualification.
• Liiketoiminnan ammattitutkinto, myynnin ja markkinointiviestinnän osaamisala (Business Professional Degree, Sales and Marketing Communications) A 150-credit professional degree focused on sales and marketing communications, preparing students for customer service, sales, product group management, customer acquisition, and technical solution sales roles. Priced at €400 (€200 for those studying with unemployment benefits); free for labor market training participants.
• Liiketoiminnan ammattitutkinto, taloushallinnon osaamisala (Business Professional Degree, Financial Management) A 150-credit professional degree in financial management providing skills for financial tasks such as bookkeeping or payroll processing. Priced at €400; free for labor market training participants.
• Liiketoiminnan ammattitutkinto maahanmuuttaneille (Business Professional Degree for Immigrants) A 150-credit professional degree in business studies designed for adult immigrants, providing skills for sales and customer service positions with Finnish language support at A2.2 level. Priced at €400; free for labor market training participants.
• Yrittäjyyden ammattitutkinto (Entrepreneurship Professional Degree) A 150-credit professional degree in entrepreneurship providing practical skills for business planning, customer-oriented product development, marketing, sales, and digital business operations. Priced at €400; free for labor market training participants.
• Liiketoiminnan ammattitutkinto, liiketoiminnan palvelujen osaamisala (Business Professional Degree, Business Services) A 150-credit professional degree in business services preparing students for assistant, secretary, or front-line services roles, with an optional specialization in healthcare secretary services.
• Hoiva-avustajakoulutus (Care Assistant Training) A 60-credit partial qualification from the social and health care basic degree providing skills to work with elderly people in service homes or care facilities, focusing on basic care needs.
• Oppisopimuskoulutus (Apprenticeship Training) A workplace-based training format in which most of the learning takes place at the employer's workplace, combined with theory sessions at PSK-Aikuisopisto based on an individual plan. The employer pays wages during the apprenticeship and PSK-Aikuisopisto arranges the educational component and HOKS personal competence planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Student satisfaction rating of 4.24/5 (scale 1-5) for 2022-2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AttendocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2025PSK-Aikuisopisto collaborates with Attendo (care home operator) for international social services and healthcare vocational training. As of winter 2025, partnership has brought together 28 international students in apprenticeship programs working at Attendo care homes in Oulu area, training to become practical nurses (lähihoitaja). Collaboration began with intensive joint planning emphasizing holistic approach to learning.
• Toppi-verkosto (via OSAO)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFree training provided to workplace instructors through Toppi network coordinated by OSAO. Provides guidelines and instructions at ohjaan.fi for workplace-based learning supervision.
• OSAO, Ammattiopisto Luovi, Oulun Palvelualan Opisto, Suomen DiakoniaopistocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional consortium of vocational education providers in Oulu area collaborating on joint events like Ajankohtaista Amiksessa (career guidance events), MegaMatchmaking, Työntaitajiksi career fairs, and Skills competitions. Annual events bringing together students, employers, and education professionals.
• Espoon seudun koulutuskuntayhtymä OmniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of Digikyvykkyys II network project with 99 vocational education providers. Project funded by Ministry of Education and Culture, focusing on digital capability development. PSK participates in network for internal development support, expertise, and collaboration partners.
• BusinessOuluminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional employment and business services customer collaboration for entrepreneurship training programs. Primary target group includes BusinessOulu customers interested in entrepreneurship and starting businesses.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership providing Office 365, Teams, and Azure integration. Students receive free Office 365 ProPlus licenses. Institutional use of Microsoft authentication and productivity tools. MoodieBOOST learning platform integrated with Microsoft services.
• Turun kaupunkicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of Strapetsi II (Strategic and Pedagogical Leadership) network project with 90 vocational education providers. Project funded by Ministry of Education and Culture, focusing on vocational education leadership development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OSAO (Oulun seudun ammattiopisto): The Oulu region VET provider and PSK's primary regional competitor, offering broader vocational programs across more industries. PSK partners with OSAO on events like Ajankohtaista Amiksessa but competes directly for the same regional student and employer base in Northern Finland.
• Oulun Palvelualan Opisto: Oulu-based vocational college specializing in service sector programs. Direct regional peer to PSK for both student recruitment and employer partnerships in Northern Finland across business and service occupations.
• Suomen Diakoniaopisto (SDO): Diaconal vocational college focused on social, healthcare, and church sector training. PSK partners with SDO for regional career events and both serve overlapping adult learner segments in social services and healthcare qualification programs.

Broad incumbents

• Koulutuskeskus Salpaus: Lahti region VET provider offering broad vocational programs across multiple industries. Comparable in scale and program diversity to PSK but serves the Päijät-Häme region rather than Northern Finland.
• Turun ammattiopisto: Turku city VET provider offering comprehensive adult vocational education. Coordinates the Strapetsi II network that PSK participates in - functionally similar to PSK but serving Southern Finland.
• Espoon seudun koulutuskuntayhtymä Omnia: Espoo region VET consortium that coordinates the Digikyvykkyys II national project involving PSK. Operates as a larger, more established VET provider in a different geography but is functionally comparable in adult vocational delivery and program scope.
• Tampereen ammattiopisto (Tredu): Tampere region VET provider offering broad vocational and adult education programs. Comparable business and social/healthcare program offerings to PSK but at larger scale and serving the Pirkanmaa region.
• Ammattiopisto Samiedu: Kotka-Hamina region VET provider offering adult vocational programs including business and healthcare tracks. Smaller regional provider comparable to PSK in size and program scope but serving southeastern Finland.
• Sedun koulutuskuntayhtymä (Sedu): South Ostrobothnia regional VET consortium offering comprehensive vocational programs. Similar foundation/consortium governance model and comparable scale to PSK but operates in a different geographic region with broader program breadth.

Regional players

• Ammattiopisto Luovi: National Finnish VET provider with strong presence in the Oulu region, including special needs vocational education. PSK partners with Luovi for joint regional events while competing for similar adult learner segments in business and social services programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_xsviV_OxIwwUvgCu0KltQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/PSK.aikuisopisto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/psk-aikuisopisto
• Instagraminstagram.com/psk_aikuisopisto

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PSK-Aikuisopisto / PSK-Adult Education Center