Further vocational qualification in food services

The training is aimed at the work tasks of professional cooking. The target is to expand vocational competence in food services and to promote employment. The target group is primarily unemployed persons and those at a risk of unemployment with suitable personal characteristics and motivation with willingness to get employed e.g. in restaurants, lunch cafes or mass catering establishments after the training. 

In this training you can perform two qualification units. If you manage to get an apprenticeship after the training you can complete the entire qualification, depending on the suitability of the workplace (if the workplace´s operations meet the requirement of the qualification). 

During on-the-job learning periods you will follow employer’s work schedule. Readiness for shift work (also weekends and evenings) is required in many workplaces. The target group is primarily persons with suitable characteristics and motivation with willingness to work e.g. in restaurants, lunch cafes or mass catering establishments after the training.

Target group

Labour market training is primarily intended for adults who are unemployed or at risk of losing their current job. In labour market training during participation, you get paid an unemployment benefit to which you would be entitled as an unemployed jobseeker. In addition, you can be granted a supplementary amount and compensation for expenses.

The target group is primarily persons with suitable characteristics and motivation with willingness to work e.g. in restaurants, lunch cafes or mass catering establishments after the training.

A person working in the restaurant industry is expected to be flexible and to have the right attitude towards work. The field employs persons with good communication skills. The ability to be committed to the restaurant's operating methods is highly valuated. In the restaurant industry, the ability to work within rapidly changing working hours and continuous willingness to learn new things are considered important.

Duration

Depending on your previous experience and competence, the training lasts eight (8) months and proceeds according to the personal competence development plan which is drawn up individually. The studies are full-time studies, full attendance required.

Date

13.4.2026—4.12.2026

Location

Training days take place at TAKK campus in Tampereen valtatie 15, Tampere.

Price

Studying is free of charge. Hygiene passport and alcohol passport cost 20 € each.

Content

You can choose from the following two alternatives:

Alternative 1
Cooking in a Restaurant Kitchen (60 competence point) and either one of the following two qualification units:
Preparing Dishes Served Cold (50 competence point) or Preparing Vegetarian Dishes (40 competence point)

OR

Alternative 2
Cooking in an Institutional Kitchen (60 competence point) and either one of the following two qualification units:
Preparing Dishes Served Cold (50 competence point) or Preparing Vegetarian Dishes (40 competence point)

You can familiarise yourself with the Requirements of the Qualification and the criteria (came into force on 1.8.2025) from this link.

Implementation

The training starts with an eight-week orientation during which students familiarise themselves with the field in general. Also, their personal motivation and suitability are checked. In addition, a personal study plan will be drawn up.

The training is full-time training. It consists of training days, learning tasks, group and project work, independent work and on-the-job learning.

Theoretical studies take place during the daytime. On-the-job learning periods you will follow employer’s work schedule. Readiness for shift work (also weekends and evenings) is required in many workplaces.

A person working in the restaurant industry is expected to be flexible and to have the right attitude towards work. The field employs persons with good communication skills. The ability to be committed to the restaurant's operating methods is highly valuated. In the restaurant industry, the ability to work within rapidly changing working hours and continuous willingness to learn new things are considered important. 

Scope and financing of studies

The scope of this two units of qualification is 100-110 cmp (competence points) depending of your choice. 

Time for applying

Application period: 29.12.2025—16.3.2026

Fill in the application via Työmarkkinatori website. Fill in the application from this site via 'Täytä hakemus' button (training number 25039348). 

 If you fill in an online application without strong identification, you must confirm your application at Työmarkkinatori before the application period ends. You will be invited to an entrance interview based on your training application, so please fill in your application carefully. In the more detailed justification for your application, state your interest in education and any previous experience you may have in the field. Already think about whether you want to become a waiter/waitress or a bartender.

Schedule

• Pre-selection for interview 18.3.2026
• Selection interviews will be held on 30.3.2026
• Start of studies 13.4.2026, (summer break is included in the training 22.6.- 28.6.2026)

Because the training interview schedule is fast and tight, it is not possible to change or postpone the interview times. Interview invitations are delivered by text message or suomi.fi - web service. Those who have been invited must be prepared to attend the interview at the given time. If you receive an invitation to an interview but are unable to attend, be prepared to submit a sick leave certificate, a certificate of employment or another certificate of absence to the employment authority in your employment area. After the interviews, the admission information is delivered by suomi.fi -web service.

Admission is based on the information in the application, so please fill out your application carefully.

You can follow the status of your application and check your admission information in in the E-services at www.tyomarkkinatori.fi.

Further information

For more information on the content and the implementation of the training, please contact:

• Tampereen Aikuiskoulutuskeskus TAKK, instructor/education coordinator Juha Alajoki, juha.alajoki@takk.fi.
• Tampereen seudun työllisyysalueen koulutuspalvelut, Anne Maijala, anne.maijala1@tampere.fi

Information on labour market training can be found from here.

For further information, please contact Työmarkkinatori by calling the helpline 0295 020 702. On the educational advice Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/koulutusneuvonta, you will find up-to-date information about such questions as possibilities
for studying, funding your studies and various sectors and occupations.