Further vocational qualification in restaurant customer service

Further Vocational Qualification in Restaurant Customer Service gives you a qualification either as a waiter/waitress or a bartender. Waiters/waitresses and bartenders are professionals in customer service and food and/or beverage products.

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

Competence area of Customer Service in Bars, which gives you the qualification of a bartender.
Competence area of Customer Service in Restaurants, which gives you the qualification of a waiter/waitress.

If you choose the competence area of Customer Service in Restaurants (waiter/waitress), you will be working in serving, and in customer service tasks in different kind of restaurants, cafés, and hotels, for example.

If you choose the competence area of Customer Service in Bars (bartender), you will be preparing and serving beverages, and doing customer service in bars of different types.
The employment opportunities in the field are excellent.

Composition of the qualification

The scope of the Further Vocational Qualification in Restaurant Customer Service is 120 competence points.

Compulsory unit

working as a waiter/waitress in a restaurant (40 competence points)

Depending on the chosen competence are, you complete either

working in a restaurant focusing on food, 45 competence points (competence area of customer service in restaurants, waiter/waitress)
or
working in a bar, 45 competence points (competence area of customer service in bars, bartender)

Additionally, you need to complete min. 35 competence points of the following optional units:

Working in a cocktail bar, 35 competence points
Working in a party service, 20 competence points
Working in a staff restaurant, 20 competence points
Working as an expert in a café, 35 competence points
Working in a beer restaurant, 35 competence points
Developing a product for a restaurant, 15 competence points
Working in a catering service, 20 competence points
Working in a wine bar 35 competence points
Promoting digital competence in the working community, 15 competence points
Promoting the green transition, 15 competence points
Utilisation of artificial intelligence in the work process, 15 competence points

Read about the qualification criteria: Further Vocational Qualification in Restaurant Customer Service - eRequirements

Open doors to excellent job opportunities!

Educations starting

Further Vocational Qualification in Restaurant Customer Service Apprenticeship training Education in English Training leading to qualification Date: Flexible start Application period: 4.9.2025—31.12.2026
This training programme is aimed at professional work tasks in restaurants and/or bars. Your goal may be to complete the Further Vocational Qualification in Restaurant Customer Service (full qualification), or, if you prefer, to complete only one or more qualification units (partial qualification). At the beginning of the studies, a personal competence development plan will be prepared for each student to specify the final objectives and duration of the training. Target group The programme is intended for anyone interested in obtaining a qualification or partial qualification for customer service positions in restaurants and/or bars through apprenticeship training. Please note that to study through apprenticeship training, you must have a workplace and an employment contract that includes a minimum of 25 working hours per week. Date Flexible start Location Training days take place at TAKK campus in Tampereen valtatie 15, Tampere. Price Studying is free of charge. This implies to people already living in Finland. Hygiene passport and alcohol passport cost 20€/piece. Note! Are you from outside the EU/EEA area? You may be required to pay a tuition fee. The tuition fee for this programme is €8,450. The total cost of the programme is €8,450. If you are selected for the programme and are liable to pay the tuition fee, it must be paid before the studies begin. If you are selected for the programme and are liable to pay tuition fees, the fee must be paid before the training begins. Implementation Your workplace duties may focus either on restaurant dining service tasks or bar service tasks. Studies take place mainly at your workplace. The average duration of the training is one year. The number and content of contact study days will be agreed with you individually, as will the overall duration of the training. Professional competence is demonstrated through workplace skills demonstrations for each qualification unit while carrying out practical work tasks. Time for applying Application period: 4.9.2025—31.12.2026 This training is targeted especially at non-native people who live in Finland. We do not reply to inquiries from outside of Finland. You can start the training flexibly throughout the year. Starting dates are agreed individually. There are a limited number of places available in this programme. Places are filled in the order of registration. Please note that you can apply for apprenticeship training only if you already have an apprenticeship workplace arranged. If you do not have a workplace, please explore our other training options. Further information If any further questions, please contact! Questions about training: Instructor: Juha Alajoki, juha.alajoki@takk.fi, tel. +358 44 7906 100 Apprenticeship Supervisor: Maiju Aro, maiju.aro@takk.fi, tel. 044 7906 348
Further Vocational Qualification in Restaurant Customer Service, two qualification units (Labour market training) Labour market training Education in English Training leading to qualification Date: 21.1.2027—24.9.2027 Application period: 8.10.2026—17.12.2026
Do you want to work in the restaurant industry as a customer service professional? This labour market training provides you with practical skills to work as a waiter/waitress in a restaurant or bar and opens doors to employment. This training: • enables you to complete a partial qualification in Restaurant Customer Service (2 modules) • provides strong practical customer service skills • promotes employment • supports continuing your studies later toward the full qualification, for example through an apprenticeship Target group The target group is primaly unemployed persons or those at risk of unemployment who have an active job search status. Restaurant work is often fast-paced, so flexibility, adaptability to changing situations, and good interaction skills are imnportant. A proactive attitude and continuous willingness to develop one’s skills are highly appreciated. 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 and full attendance is required. Date 21.1.2027—24.9.2027 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 Working in restaurant service (40 credits) and Working in a food restaurant (45 credits) OPTION 2 Working in restaurant service (40 credits) and Working in a bar (45 credits) Implementation The training lasts 8 months and progresses according to a Personal Competence Development Plan. Any prior experience you may have in the field will be considered, and you will study only what is necessary. Classroom instruction takes place on weekdays, mainly between 9:00 and 15:00. During on-the-job learning periods, workplace working hours are followed. Shift work readiness is required in most workplaces. At the beginning of the training, a personal competence development plan will be 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 these two units of qualification is 85 competence points. Time for applying Application period: 8.10.2026—17.12.2026 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 26094706). 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: December 17th, 2026 • Pre-selection: December 21th, 2026 • Selection interviews: January 12th, 2027 Invitations to interviews will be sent via SMS or email (and will also appear in the “Oma asiointi” E-services). Interview times cannot be changed due to a tight schedule. Candidates 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 a proof of employment) • Training starts: 25 January 2027 • Training ends: no later than 24 September 2027 • Holiday period: 28 June 2027 –5 July 2027 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.