Lapland introduces English-language wilderness guide training to improve safety

Lapland’s first English-language professional qualification for wilderness and nature guides will begin in Muonio this August, aiming to enhance safety standards in the region’s tourism industry, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The programme, offered by Ammattiopisto Lappia vocational college, targets foreign-born guides already working in Lapland’s nature tourism sector. According to Ilkka Mäki, head of the Muonio campus, the training will help ensure guides can operate safely in Arctic conditions.

“This allows us to improve safety across the entire tourism sector by ensuring operators understand how to work in our Arctic environment,” Mäki said.

The curriculum, taught in English, mirrors the Finnish-language wilderness guide qualification, covering survival skills, navigation, and emergency preparedness. Students can complete the programme through apprenticeships or self-directed study.

Mikael Heikkilä, a full-time instructor in nature studies, said the college is eager to support local businesses and their staff. “We’re thrilled this is happening and that we can help companies and their guides develop their skills,” he noted.

The application period, which closed Friday, drew 25 applicants for the August intake. Previous attempts to secure approval for English-language training from Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture had been unsuccessful until now.

Current students Joel Kantola and Laura Suomalainen, who are completing the Finnish-language version of the programme, welcomed the expansion. Kantola, originally from Helsinki, praised the hands-on approach, saying practical exercises build confidence by revealing unexpected skills.

Suomalainen, from the US, brought prior experience from hiking in Seattle’s mountains but has learned new techniques in Lapland, such as ice fishing. Both plan to establish nature tourism businesses in the region.

Kantola emphasised the need for foreign guides to understand local culture and safety practices. “Many come here for seasonal work without shared language or cultural knowledge. This training will help them gain essential skills and improve client safety,” he said.