The May Day season brought together multiple projects for a joint networking event and “project sima” gathering. This time, the focus was on initiatives promoting business skills development, particularly the rural-oriented Next Rural project and the Skills Pathways for Solo Entrepreneurs and Small SMEs project. A second key theme was the employment of international students. The KOHTA project connects them with companies in regional towns, while the Bloomberg Innovation Team is piloting new approaches to support the employment of immigrants.
The event was opened by Ida Forssell-Martikainen, Project Manager of the Bloomberg Innovation Team at the City of Turku. The relatively new initiative tackles complex challenges such as immigrant employment and is currently conducting a data-driven situational analysis to identify root causes. Solutions are developed first by engaging residents and then through targeted experiments.
Jaana Lindgren and Lucia Vuillermin from Turku University of Applied Sciences presented the KOHTA project, which supports international students in internships and employment opportunities in regional towns such as Loimaa, Salo and Uusikaupunki. The project also helps companies better engage with and guide international talent.
Students primarily need support in language and cultural skills as well as in job application processes. Companies, in turn, require clear onboarding processes and guidance. Educational institutions play a key role as active facilitators of cooperation between the two.
New business opportunities for rural SMEs and skills for solo entrepreneurs
The Next Rural project is aimed at micro and small enterprises in rural areas around Loimaa, Turku Archipelago, Salo and Uusikaupunki. It supports companies in identifying and accessing new markets. Activities include workshops, company visits and training on topics such as internationalisation, digitalisation, customer segments and ownership transitions. Companies can still join the upcoming autumn sessions.
The Skills Pathways for Solo Entrepreneurs and Small SMEs project provides joint coaching for entrepreneurs and training professionals. Its methods include small group sparring, workshops and “skills meetups,” supported by business coaches.
The project helps entrepreneurs identify their competencies and skills gaps, anticipate future skill needs and engage in targeted training.
The event was organised by the JOE project in collaboration with the Bloomberg Innovation Team. The JOE project also introduced new service maps, shared approaches to guidance work, and its foresight-based labour market forums. Continuous learning in Southwest Finland is being strengthened through the EU co-funded JOE project for 2024–2026.
Further information:
Anneli Frantti, Project Manager
anneli.frantti@turku.fi
