The Awards for VET Excellence
The entrepreneurship learning ecosystem of Jyväskylä Educational Consortium Gradia has been selected as the best in Europe. The selection was announced at the main event of the European Vocational Skills Week at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on Thursday evening 17 October 2019. This is an award for excellence in vocational education and training.
The awards are given in 12 categories and their aim is to recognise excellence, provide visibility and recognition for good work done, motivate those taking part, whether individuals or organisations, enable the building of networks and new career opportunities, enable the winners to become ambassadors in their field of expertise, and reach out to citizens through online voting.
A jury of independent members was established in each category. The various juries each identified 2(or 3) nominees and indicated their respective winner. A public online voting was organised. The 2019 award winners were selected through a mix of votes from the jury, and the general public, both results weighting 50%. The final results in all categories were revealed on 17 October during the Awards Nominees Celebration.
By rewarding an entrepreneurship learning model, EU wants to encourage vocational education and training institutions to invest in entrepreneurship training. An entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurship competences reinforce the ability of young people to cope with the future of work.
The Entrepreneurial School Awards 2019
In addition, on the previous evening, Gradia received the Entrepreneurial School Award from Junior Achievement Europe. Junior Achievement (JA) is the world’s largest organisation providing entrepreneurship and consumer education for young people. In Finland it is represented by Junior Achievement Finland.
The Entrepreneurial School Awards is an annual recognition by JA Europe, which aims to provide a supportive and motivational framework to guide education providers, headmasters and teachers from across Europe in their entrepreneurial learning initiatives.
The Entrepreneurial School Awards 2019 took place in Helsinki as part of the European Vocational Skills Week on 16 October 2019.
Gradia is one of the most active Finnish education providers in the annual entrepreneurship program. In the JA program, the students set up a real company for the year, where they can learn about entrepreneurship and develop their skills.
More information on entrepreneurship at Gradia
Petrikki Tukiainen, Senior Specialist, Entrepreneurship, Gradia, tel. 350403415850, petrikki.tukiainen@gradia.fi
Anu Tokila, Development Director, Gradia, tel. 358403415141, anu.tokila@gradia.fi
Pirjo Kauhanen, Principal, Gradia Jyväskylä, tel. 358403416152, pirjo.kauhanen@gradia.fi
More information about VET Excellence Awards and JA Finland:
https://ec.europa.eu/social/vocational-skills-week/awards-vet-excellence-2019_en