Beginning of technological education and research
The first step toward organised technological research and teaching came in 1841, when the Senate Fine Mechanics Workshop was established in Helsinki. Its purpose was to manufacture scientific instruments and measuring equipment and to train fine mechanics. The operation of the small workshop started gradually, over the span of a decade. The institute was the practical start to state-run technological research in Finland. It was transferred to the organisation of the Finnish Science Society in the 1880s, and in 1917 it was again taken over by the state. The workshop developed into a department of VTT – founded in 1942 – and continues to operate as a private company in the 2020s.
In 1842, Sunday schools were established in urban Finland, responsible for the basic education of children in the cities before the start of primary school. The main body of later engineering students would begin their education as pupils of the highly successful Sunday schools. In rural areas, basic education for children did not begin until after the 1860s.
Children from wealthier families who were also interested in technology were educated at home, while some students began their studies in the vocational schools of the feudal corporatist system. The requirements for admission into educational institutions would not be cemented until the turn of the century, when the education system was expanded to cover all of Finland.
Preparations for the establishment of technical schools began on 8 June 1846 in Helsinki with a Manufactory Board decision that originated with Alexander Menshikov, Governor-General of Finland and the chair of the Senate's economic commission.
Three technical schools
Technical schools were established in Helsinki, Turku and Vaasa by the decree of 9 June 1847. The activities of the technical schools were intended to develop a struggling economy where the need was greatest: as the focus of the Finnish economy turned to the east and connections with Sweden weakened, trade in the Ostrobothnia region had run into great difficulties, while the bourgeoisie of Helsinki and Turku were also forced to seek new livelihoods.
The plan originally included an effort to gradually replace all Sunday schools with technical schools. The Technical School of Helsinki remained under the supervision of the Manufactory Board, while the Turku and Vaasa schools were placed under the administration of county governors. Basic curricula for the schools were designed by Victor Hartwall.
Teaching in three technical technical schools began on 15 January 1849.