Further vocational qualification in food services

Further Vocational Qualification in Food Services gives you a qualification either as a restaurant cook or an institutional cook.

The qualification has two competence areas of which you choose one:

Competence Area of Restaurant Cookery (restaurant cook)
Competence Area of Institutional Catering (institutional cook)

Restaurant cooks and institutional cooks are professionals in food preparation.

If you choose the competence area of restaurant cookery (restaurant cook), you will be working for example in different á la carte restaurants, food restaurants, delivery and catering service companies, and restaurants of passenger vessels and hotels.

If you choose the competence area of institutional catering (institutional cook), you will be working for example in institutional and professional kitchens, in food restaurants of different types, and in delivery and catering service companies.

The employment opportunities in the field are excellent.

Composition of the qualification

The scope of the Further Vocational Qualification in Food Services 150 competence points.

Compulsory unit, 60 competence points

Depending on the chosen competence are, you complete either

Cooking in a restaurant kitchen, 60 competence points (competence area of restaurant cookery)
or
Cooking in an institutional kitchen, 60 competence points (competence area of institutional cookery)

Optional units, 90 competence points

Preparing special diet meals, 50 competence points
Preparing vegetarian dishes, 40 competence points
Preparing dishes served cold, 50 competence points
Promoting digital competence in the working community, 15 competence points
Promoting the green transition, 15 competence points
Different production methods in cooking, 30 competence points
Cooking for a catering service, 40 competence points
Utilisation of artificial intelligence in the work process, 15 competence points
Compulsory unit from another competence area, 40 competence points
A unit from a vocational qualification, another further qualification or a specialist qualification, 10-30 competence points

Read about the qualification criteria: Further Vocational Qualification in Food Services - eRequirements

Become a cook and feed your career!

Educations starting

Further Vocational Qualification in Food Services, two qualification units (Labour market training) Labour market training Training leading to qualification Education in English Date: 5.10.2026—28.5.2027 Application period: 25.5.2026—7.9.2026
Would you like to work in a kitchen? Train as a cook and find employment quickly! Do you dream of working in a restaurant kitchen or in large-scale catering? In this work-based labour market training, you will gain practical skills and quickly enter the profession of a cook – and working life. This training: • enables you to complete a partial qualification in the Vocational Qualification in Food Services (2 qualification units) • provides strong practical skills for kitchen work • improves your employment opportunities • supports continuing later towards the full qualification, for example through an apprenticeship Target group The target group is primarily unemployed persons or those at risk of unemployment who are registered jobseekers. Work in the restaurant sector is often fast-paced, so flexibility, adaptability to changing situations, and good interaction skills are important. A proactive work approach and a continuous willingness to develop skills are valued. 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 is required. Date 5.10.2026—28.5.2027 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 OPTION 1 Cooking in a Restaurant Kitchen (60 credits) and either Preparing dishes served cold (50 credits) or Preparing vegetarian dishes (40 credits) OPTION 2 Cooking in an Institutional Kitchen (60 credits) and either Preparing dishes served cold (50 credits) or Preparing vegetarian dishes (40 credits) Implementation The training lasts 8 months and progresses according to a Personal Competence Development Plan. Any prior experience in the field will be considered, and you will study only what is necessary. Classroom instruction takes place mainly on weekdays between 9:00 and 15:00. During on-the-job learning, workplace working hours are followed. Shift work readiness is required in most workplaces. At the beginning of the training, a personal competence development plan is created, considering the student’s individual wishes and goals. The training includes extensive on-the-job learning in companies in the field. 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: 25.5.2026—7.9.2026 Applications for labour market training are submitted via the Job Market Finland website using online banking credentials. Fill in the application from this site via 'Täytä hakemus' button (training number 26071027). If you submit the application without strong authentication, you must confirm it at your local employment services office before the deadline. You will be invited to the selection interview based on your application, so please complete it carefully. In your application: • explain your interest in the training • describe any previous experience in the field • indicate which option you choose • explain why you would be a good professional in the field • state what kind of workplace you aim to work in Incomplete information reduces your chances of being invited to an interview. Applicants from outside the Tampere region should explain how accommodation and commuting will be arranged during the training. The institution does not provide housing. You can track your application status via the Job Market Finland e-service. SCHEDULE • Application period ends: 7 September 2026 • Pre-selection: 9 September 2026 • Selection interviews: 21 September 2026 Interview invitations are sent by text message or email (and are also visible in the e-service). Interview times cannot be changed due to the tight schedule. Applicants must be prepared to attend at the assigned time. If you receive an invitation but cannot attend, you must provide a valid certificate (e.g. medical certificate or proof of employment). • Training starts: 5 October 2026 • Training ends: no later than 28 May 2027 • Holiday period: 28 December 2026–4 January 2027 You can follow the status of your application and check your admission information in in the E-services at www.tyomarkkinatori.fi. Further information Tampere Adult Education Centre (TAKK) Questions about training content: Training Planner / Instructor Juha Alajoki, Tel. +358 44 7906 100, juha.alajoki@takk.fi City of Tampere, Employment and Growth Services Questions about applying: Coordinator Eeva-Maija Herttua, eeva-maija.herttua1@tampere.fi Information on labour market training can be found from here.