The world’s largest vocational skills event WorldSkills ended triumphantly for Finland and Tredu. The biennial competition was attended by 22 young Finnish participants who are top experts in their fields and professions.
The only medal for the Finnish team was won by Tredu’s Toivo Särkkinen, who competed in Chemical Laboratory Technology and won silver. In the competition, he had to prepare solutions, handle samples and carry out measurements with various analytical instruments. The work had to be done as perfectly as possible in a short time. The competitors were not allowed to view the tasks until the competition started.
– I’m feeling good, the competition went better than I expected. It was also a great honour to win the Best of Nation award, said Särkkinen, commenting on his recent success.
Mikko Motin also competed in Plumbing and Heating, backed by Tredu. He was awarded the Medallion for Excellence for his above-average performance in the field.
– I am happy with my performance, I feel very good and liberated, says Motin after a tough week of competition.
A total of 11 Finnish competitors received Medallion for Excellence awards, which is not a given at a high-level WorldSkills competition involving 1400 competitors from 69 countries. Finland’s previous medal at WorldSkills also came in Laboratory Technology in 2019, and again it went to a Tredu-trained competitor, Pinja Harakkamäki.
“Amazing! The Finnish team did well. Great achievements! Congratulations to the entire skills national team.”
– We are proud of all these 22 young people. They will leave here more experienced and prepared to do meaningful work in their fields, says Maria Ekroth, Executive Director of Skills Finland.
The Finnish team will return home on Monday evening.
The results of the Finnish team
Silver
Chemical Laboratory Technology: Toivo Särkkinen, Tampere Vocational College Tredu
Medallion for Excellence
Restaurant Service: Melina Rintamäki, Turku Vocational Institute (4th place)
Cooking: Jasper Juutinen, Turku Vocational Institute (6th place)
Pâtisserie and Confectionery: Erika Ukkonen, South Savo Vocational College (5th place)
Plumbing and Heating: Mikko Motin, Tampere Vocational College Tredu (9th place)
Car Painting: Matias Tiri, Educational Consortium OSAO (8th place)
Beauty Therapy: Mirva Alasjärvi, Luksia (6th place)
Web Technologies: Eeli Grén, Saimaa Vocational College Sampo (14th place)
3D Digital Game Art: Lari Rouvinen, Stadin AO, Helsinki Vocational College (8th place)
CNC Milling: Aapo Paunonen, Savo Vocational College (13th place)
Welding: Teemu Laitinen, Savo Vocational College (19th place)
Graphic Design Technology: Daniel Kytönen, Careeria (16th place)
WorldSkills Lyon 10.-15.9.2024
This year’s WorldSkills Competition, held in Lyon, 2024 featured a total of 62 disciplines, representing different vocational education and training professions, from practical nurse to welder and from cook to electrician.
In most of the disciplines, the competitors were top professionals aged 23 or less. In total, there were 1500 competitors from all over the world. Visitors to Eurexpo Lyon were predicted to reach 250 000.
Finland was represented by an official professional team of 22 competitors, who competed in 20 disciplines. The aim of each Finnish competitor was to achieve the Medallion for Excellence award for a performance at least above the average level of the sport.
Each event also included a Finnish expert who acted as a judge in the event. The experts are often vocational teachers, and competition coaching is therefore part of the cooperation between vocational education and working life.
The Finnish team was assembled and sent by Skills Finland, which coordinates the national team activities. The association works in close cooperation with vocational training institutions. Competitors are selected through an open selection process.
In addition to WorldSkills, the national skills team also participates in EuroSkills and Abilympics. The next EuroSkills competition will take place in Herning, Denmark in 2025 and the Abilympics competition for professionals with special needs in Helsinki, Finland in 2027. Finns have participated in international skills competitions since 1989, winning more than 140 medals in total. Only in 1989 and 2022 have no medals been won.
More information
Competition Manager, Katja Pynnönen-Aaltonen, Tredu
Tel. +358 407 265 209 / katja.aaltonen@tampere.fi
Written by: SkillsFinland, Tredu’s communication and marketing