PRESS RELEASE: Amispäiväkirjat continues on Nelonen channels – featuring seven new young people studying for a profession

The series follows the everyday lives of students, their dreams, victories, defeats, sorrows and moments of great happiness – those moments when everything either goes perfectly or crashes into the wall.

The series is a showcase for VET especially for those who are considering suitable study options for themselves or perhaps for their child.

Vocational studies and real everyday life

Seven young people from six vocational institutions around Finland are taking part.

18-year-olds Netta Kinnunen and Sella Pessa are studying logistics at Tredu, Tampere Vocational College. “I have never been in front of a camera before, it was new and exciting, but I really liked it! A positive experience,” says Sella. “The best thing was doing it together with a friend,” comments Netta.

For 19-year-old Vilma Hiltunen, studying surface treatment at Lappia in Tornio, the spring was busy. Vocational studies have taught her above all perseverance. “In addition to the filming, I studied for the matriculation exams in the spring and attended vocational school. I filmed material weekly, spent weekdays at school and used my free time for studying. Even though I had a huge amount to do and was quite tired, I did not give up on anything,” Vilma explains.

From Hyria, 19-year-old Aapo Heinämäki is training to become a car mechanic. “I was surprised by how low-threshold the filming turned out to be – we filmed a lot ourselves, and in front of the production cameras you didn’t have to be too nervous if things didn’t go right immediately,” says Aapo.

19-year-old Henna-Riikka Äijälä from JEDU (Jokilaaksojen Education and Training Consortium) has been happy with her vocational studies. “In general, the best thing about VET is how much influence you have over your own learning. At JEDU I like how the student is taken into account and how everything is so student-oriented.”

19-year-old media student Leevi Pajukangas from Vamia has been making YouTube videos with a friend for years, but through the filming of the series he feels he has especially developed as a performer. In his media studies, he particularly values creativity and the encouraging atmosphere. “It sounds like an advert, but I honestly mean it – it was the best decision to come to study at Vamia!” says Leevi.

Pastry apprentice Erika Ukkonen, 22, studying at Sampo Vocational College in South Karelia, prepared in the series for EuroSkills, the European vocational skills competition. “The best thing in VET is learning something new and working with your hands. Creativity is important in our field, and the end result always reflects its maker. The teachers and my EuroSkills training team have been absolutely the best. They have shown the example, and at the same time I have had the chance to apply and realise my own ideas. This has often resulted in something completely new,” she says.

Amispäiväkirjat in brief

• In spring 2023 we followed in Amispäiväkirjat the lives of seven young people from across Finland who had chosen vocational education and training. One of them was Viljami Turve, a plumber who in the same year won the Taitajien Taitaja title. The series reached around 1.3 million viewers on Nelonen channels and the Ruutu streaming service.

• The second season premiered on Liv on 14 September. It can also be watched on Ruutu.fi as well as on Nelonen’s main channel, Jim, Hero and Ruutu.

• The programme is produced in cooperation with Skills Finland and six vocational colleges: Lappia, Hyria, JEDU, Sampo, Tredu and Vamia.

• Corporate partners are Kaukokiito, Värisilma, Kesko, Association of Car Importers and Industry, Central Organisation for Motor Trade and Repairs in Finland, City of Oulainen and City of Vaasa.