Häme Vocational Institute Ltd (HAMI) to become part of the Tavastia Joint Municipal Authority for Education – aiming for a stronger and more versatile education provider
The Tavastia Joint Municipal Authority for Education and HAMI’s current owner, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), have concluded negotiations on the merger. HAMK’s Board approved the agreement in its meeting on 8 January 2026. Tavastia’s Joint Authority Board will review the matter on 15 January 2026 and submit it for decision to the Tavastia Joint Authority Assembly meeting on 19 February 2026.
If both parties approve the agreement, Häme Vocational Institute Ltd (HAMI) will transfer its operations to become part of the Tavastia Joint Municipal Authority for Education (Tavastia) at the beginning of 2027. The merger will create a multidisciplinary and stronger education provider, capable of responding to the demands of a changing working life and offering broader study opportunities locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
The merger will be implemented so that Tavastia purchases the entire share capital of HAMI from Häme University of Applied Sciences Ltd (HAMK). The purchase price is €1.9 million. The valuation of the shares is based on an assessment prepared by BDO Ltd. In addition, HAMI will purchase properties and movable assets related to upper secondary vocational education from HAMK for €1.5 million. Ownership and control will transfer upon payment of the purchase price.
The merger is driven by nationwide funding cuts in vocational education, the Ministry of Education and Culture’s goal to develop the provider network, and declining age groups, which increase competition for new students. The merger enables the development of new study formats and content, as well as synergies in teaching and guidance, administration, support services, and learning environments.
“With this arrangement, we aim to secure the education fields of HAMI, especially natural resources education, in Kanta-Häme. Vocational education funding is changing, competition is increasing, and HAMI has been a relatively small upper secondary institution by today’s standards. I believe that within Tavastia, vocational education in our region will develop in the best possible way,” says Pertti Puusaari, President and CEO of HAMK.
This goal is supported by Tavastia’s experimental permit from the Ministry of Education and Culture for more flexible organization of education. The permit also allows the awarding of degrees in English. At the same time, HAMK and Tavastia are developing and increasing pathway studies for upper secondary students, meaning that more Tavastia students will have the opportunity to continue their studies at HAMK in the future.
“Centralising vocational upper secondary education in the region under one strong provider will significantly expand the range of study options and flexibility for students in HAMI’s current fields, both in vocational and common modules. Efficient implementation of joint municipal services, in turn, enables resources to be directed to teaching and guidance,” says Mikko Siirilä, Acting Principal of Tavastia Vocational Institute.
Personnel will transfer to Tavastia as existing employees in accordance with their status on 31 December 2026. The integration and renewal of operations may bring changes to job roles, but the parties are committed to reviewing work arrangements together.
“HAMI’s goal is to develop natural resources education so that high-quality and impactful education in the field can continue to be secured in the region in a financially sustainable way,” says Pia-Maria Haltia, Principal of HAMI.
Although HAMI’s operations across different campuses will change, the transaction will not affect the operations of Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK). HAMK remains committed to all seven of its campuses, and its activities will continue to develop across them.
The preparation and implementation of the merger will proceed in stages, and the parties will establish a monitoring group to ensure the implementation of the agreement. The merged institution will begin operations on 1 January 2027, provided that all decisions are legally valid and the Ministry of Education and Culture approves the transfer of the education mandate.
Häme Vocational Institute HAMI
- Approximately 100 students subject to compulsory education and about 650 adult students. The turnover in 2025 was €7.6 million.
- Fields of education include education, business, administration and law, natural sciences, engineering, and agriculture and forestry. There are a total of 17 qualifications.
- It operates across five different campuses: Visamäki, Sairio, and Evo in Hämeenlinna; Lepaa in Hattula; and Mustiala in Tammela.
Tavastia Vocational Institute
- Part of the Tavastia Joint Municipal Authority for Education
- Approximately 4,300 upper secondary vocational students during the year (2025).
- Fields of education include humanities and arts, preparatory education for qualifications, business and administration, data processing and telecommunications, engineering, health and wellbeing, and service industries. There are a total of 64 qualifications.
- It operates in Hämeenlinna at the Hattelmalantie campus and in Ratasniitty, in Janakkala at Turenki, and in Urjala at Nuutajärvi.
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