Riveria to cut 550 vocational education spots in North Karelia due to government funding reductions

The North Karelia Education Consortium Riveria is set to significantly reduce the number of available spots in its degree programs for the upcoming year, with a cutback of 550 places across all facilities in North Karelia. Furthermore, Riveria will initiate cooperation negotiations affecting all staff, with anticipated repercussions equivalent to 40 full-time positions. This decision was made during a board meeting held today.

The background of the cuts relates to reductions in vocational education funding mandated by the government of Petteri Orpo, which decided to slash €100 million from vocational training financing starting next year. Riveria’s share of this reduction amounts to approximately €3.7 million. Rector Esa Karvinen indicated that even after these decisions, Riveria will need to utilize its financial reserves.

Sanna Rissanen, chair of the board, acknowledged that these cuts will impact the provision of education. She emphasized the need to collaboratively rethink the future of the education system alongside local municipalities and businesses, considering the declining youth demographics in North Karelia.

Prior to the board meeting, there was a protest from professionals in the dance and media sectors against the proposed elimination of training spots. A citizen’s petition advocating for the dance and media programs at Riveria’s Outokumpu campus has garnered signatures from several notable figures in the national theater and culture scene. Additionally, a gathering organized by cultural creators and consumers took place at Riveria’s Peltola campus in Joensuu, where participants sang for an hour leading up to the start of the board meeting.

Riveria currently serves about 19,000 students annually and offers vocational training in various cities, including Joensuu and Outokumpu, making it one of the region’s largest public employers with around 700 employees.