The Finnish skills competition is a showcase of professional skills. The Skills competition helps to generate national development of vocational and work life skills.
Finnish excellence is promoted through nationwide competition which includes the Finnish national Skills competition, Skills9 for the ninth graders and SkillsPLUS for students with special needs. These events change location annually and the organization rights are granted by Skills Finland ry.
The finalists will be selected from more than a thousand students who participate in the Finnish Skills semi-finals. About 400 youth students participate in the Skills competition final. There are over 40 competition categories, including some practical demonstrations. The competition also hosts many international visitors.
Those successful in this competition also have the opportunity to progress to the European Championships, EuroSkills and the world championships WorldSkills.
The aim of the Skills Competition is to
- promote professional excellence and its appreciation
- improve the quality of vocational training and promote learning outcomes and their comparison
- encourage young people to develop their own vocational skills and entrepreneurship
- increase the awareness and attractiveness of vocational training
- support young people's career and career choices
- promote cooperation between vocational education and working life and create new kinds of networks to develop professional skills
- to bring young people's skills to the fore and to help recruitment
- discover young professional talent and encourage them to participate in international competition.