Skills competition

Today's our topic  was Skills competition as a tool supporting the talented learner and as a tool to develop VET. Vocational skills competitions have become established as a form of supporting and developing vocational education.  In 1988, Finland joined the organisation that arranges the world championships in vocational skills: International Vocational Training Organization, today known as World Skills International.  Every year the number of participations is increased. For instance, Estonia joined in World Skills International (WSI) in 2006, Russia in 2012 and Belarus in 2014.  In 1988 the first national Taitaja skills competitions were organized in Hameenlinna. 

Taitaja9 is a competition skills intended for 9th grade pupils in basic education.

TaitajaPLUS is a vocational skills competition for special needs students. 

The World Skills Competition can be participate under the age of 23.   The World competition in vocational skills was in  Helsinki in 2005. 

Participants in Euroskills is open for young people under 25.

Benefits (and criticism) of skills competitions for

* students

* VET providers and stakeholders

* companies

* teachers