From February 4 to 5, 2025, representatives from Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and Greece, under the coordination of ART-ER (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), gathered in Oulu within the EXCEED project framework to explore the Finnish Vocational Education and Training system and its connection to the regional Smart Specialization Strategy
On the first day, hosted by the University of Oulu, members of the Policy Board had the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the Finnish education system, with a specific focus on Vocational Education and Training, thanks to presentations by the Ministry of Education and Culture and local experts. Special attention was given to best practices for promoting gender equality in technical fields and VET. In the afternoon, the group visited the Oulu International House, a support center for attracting international talent.
The second day was dedicated to field visits to explore key entities within the local innovation ecosystem: the FabLab at the University of Oulu, a digital fabrication and prototyping lab; PrintoCent, a pilot factory specializing in printed advanced electronic components; and Sähkö-Rantek Oy, a company active in electrical component manufacturing.
All these experiences align with the core values of the EXCEED project: educational innovation, environmental sustainability, and reducing the gender gap. The event concluded with a collective reflection on the lessons learned and the planning of the next Study Visit, which will take place in Prague (Czech Republic) on May 2025.
