by Ulla Virtanen, TAKK
Very interesting indeed to read about The 90 facts of Finland in the International Trade, thank you very much #ICC90 and Aalto University.
I just have to intervene into one more thing this year in our TAKK International Blog. Now, no matter what competence we develop here in the depths of TAKK and other VET providers, if our trained professionals do not develop international trade, we are doomed to the depths. Finland used to manage the internal finances by exchanging squirrel skins to bread and butter. Those times are sooo passé that we cannot even figure out how gone. I would love to say that please, produce yourself everything that you use, but the economy just does not keep up that way nor does to community without taxes. Naturally, the commerce can be done online, sustainably and also moderately, but all in all, for the GDP, export has to exceed the import or in other terms, we have to use less than we make. That is the layman truth, well, don’t we know that in VET.
Few reflections on competence development for the international trade on the basis of the study. Fact: EU-Exports make 17% of jobs in Finland. Message? Continue developing the flow of EU projects and mobilities. Fact: Export-related jobs employ mainly medium skilled (59%) workers. That is our graduates. Message? Keep on making students understand how important the export trade to Finland is. Fact: The top 3 foreign countries operating in Finland by end-2015 are: 1) Sweden 2) USA 3) Germany. Message? Do not let the European language skills fade in VET, Swedish and German are very much there on the front. For more interesting specifics, pls see the report.
PS. I love it the way they say in their report, ”We all are the Merchants of Peace” and ”We believe that trade can strengthen relation between nations” (slide 4). Hearts to You all in the report team.
Managers of TAKK in the meeting
The year is getting closer to the end and we have not had the chance to touch even half of the partner types we play with! Let’s tackle one of them today. Advisory board (neuvottelukunta) is the theme of this blog.
Advisory boards in general are bodies that give – as the name goes – advice to the organisations in question. They are by character informal, flexible and therefore influential, yet less authoritative and no way decisive. Sound too good to be true, but that’s what they are. Wise thoughts, concerns and opinions over a one big table together. The advisory boards are very important to convey messages and to plan for the future. Continue reading
Boost your career!
Tomorrow is an interesting, social and visionary day. TAKKCareerBooster (Erasmus+ project) team is present in Pirkanmaan vientipäivä, in Technopolis, Tampere. This is a case, of all those days, when we combine forces across the organisations – this time between Tampere Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and Tampere Adult Education Centre (TAKK). TAKKCareerBooster is a project, that takes both TCC and TAKK staff members to Europe. Tuesday is the day when we start promoting the European periods to TCC members.
The basic idea of TAKKCareerBooster project is to develop competence in different European countries, directly in the workplaces during on-the-job periods. The participants of the periods look for new ideas, concepts, methodologies and skills. The participants can go to these periods on their own or as pairs of two people, one from TAKK and one from a TCC member organisation. We prefer the twosome trips, as the learning across the organisations is so much more effective than learning one-by-one. Learning across here simply refers to exchanging ideas between the two people, discussing the experience and learning from each other – learning together.
Jumping out of Comfort Zone – What Nature has to Offer for Supporting Unemployed Youngsters?
by Niina Rautiainen, Project Manager, Project manager, Community educator, Teacher and Wilderness guide, Tampereen seudun Työllistämisyhdistys Etappi ry, Luontopolkua eteenpäin Project
Blog Guest (please see Part 1)
New research project of Jyväskylä University raise up the meaning of interaction and athmosphere in school environment (Vanas 2017). Research scientists from Jyväskylä university says ”nothing works, if interaction does not work”. The reaserchers say that it would be good to get teachers to explore attitudes that they have on interaction situations and how teachers face their students. Wenström (2017) writes that several studies indicate that encouraging and approving atmosphere supports commitment on completing studies. According to Wenström the emotional athmosphere of the classroom is almost as important as students skills and talent.
I think that we could use more learning environments outside of traditional class rooms, for example the nature environment. Our youngsters have said many times that nature calms their mind and creates a peaceful space where it’s easier to start thinking about life and future from different aspects. New environments will also help to get to know each others better, work together as a team, face new situations and to solve promlems. By learning new skills and doing new things it is also easier to find your strengths and abilities which could be improved. The skills that are essential in life are generally generally useful in work too.
Sleeping by the sea under the stars on the island of Tankar.
”It was empowering that everybody accepted me as who I am. I noticed that I am not a bad person.”
”A good group creates genuine and honest space where it is easier to process personal life. It also allows to do things that are not possible to do alone. Faith grows step by step.”
”I learned that different kind of people are resource and together we can do great things!”
”Most challenging was to practise social skills. In this workshop I learned to trust myself and others more, to be braver and more open. I also learned many useful skills in life. ”
” I have courage, I can trust other people and I have the ability to continue to walk my own path.”
by Ulla Virtanen, TAKK
Lumova and TAKK together
Returning from holidays, there it was. The news on Lumova, Hämeen kosmetologikoulu (Häme School of Cosmetologists) joining forces with TAKK – still continuing under the same name and as it’s own unit. Two approximately 50-year-old-ones are stronger together, more adaptable and more versatile. One hundred like Finland 100. This marriage is very much reforming the vocational education community in Pirkanmaa with combinable resources, possitibilities and opportunities – for all, the students, staff members and employers. Continue reading
Visitors of the Summer
July did wittness still one group of Belarusian experts. The group was on a search for training modules for Human Resource Management. TAKK is strong in running modules of the Specialist Qualification in Management and of the Further Qualification in First-Line Management.
The group was hosted by the top leaders, Principal Teppo Tapani and Director of Enterprise Services Olli-Pekka Tuomi.
International Forces behind agreements
Today in China, TAKK is signing a Memorandum of Understanding on making something great. Pls see the news. As this blog is first, the place for memories. Lovely, experienced, compassionate and understanding expert is a valuable thing in accomplishing something across the continents together. Memories of our partners in Guangzhou, make past AND present so sweet. In the photo, OUR Mrs Song. A true and a beautiful song, indeed. Continue reading