SDO Diakonia
Diakonia College of Finland (SDO) has a long history of education. It all began in 1867 while training deaconesses to help assist those in distress. Diaconic work goes where human distress, degradation and suffering are the greatest, so that we can fulfill the vision of heeding the human dignity of everyone. We have about 4000 students each year in the SDO. The number of staff is about 270. Our history can be seen today in our values. The Diakonia College of Finland is a nationwide private education organizer. Our campuses arrange training in Helsinki, Lahti and Oulu. We are training professionals to those fields that keep things running in society and well-being as their target. SDO is training professionals to work in social and health care, beauty care, catering and household and cleaning services, as well as leadership for tertiary education. Since the vocational skills do not develop just during the classroom teaching, the students get access to practical work in the early phase of studies.
SDO also organizes general and Finnish language education for immigrants. We provide updating training for professionals at the workplace and offer apprenticeship possibilities. Project and development cooperation will be implemented jointly with working life and other educational institutions.
Motivation
At Diakonia College of Finland (SDO) many students have special diagnosis that requires help and study plan with special education teachers. SDO has groups for VET education for example cleaning & household services students, which is a group for students that everyone needs different kind of special support. Target is that they will find a job after graduation. We organize pre-vocational programs for immigrants and students with different disabilities. Many our Finnish and immigrant vocational diploma students need diverse additional support and guidance along their study path (disadvantaged social or economic backgrounds, learning difficulties, language problems, mental or other health problems).
SDO were coordinating KA2 project: Erasmus – Strengthening Inclusion of students with special needs through Positive Pedagogy (9/2019-12/2022- PICCIS) Search | Erasmus+ (europa.eu) Positive pedagogical strength methods have been systematically used in the teaching and guidance of students with demanding special support in vocational education at the Diakonia college of Finland. This Erasmus+ KA2 IMVET project will continue inclusive mobility development work from the previous Erasmus+ KA2 project. Participation in Erasmus+ KA1 mobility has been very rare among students with special support needed.
