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Skills Finland nominates current IAF EXCO member Petteri Ora for another term

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Petteri Ora with Team Finland heading to Abilympics Metz 2023. Image: Roni Rekomaa / Skills Finland.

“I’m motivated by the success stories of our special needs students, and the possibilities that we can offer them.”

Skills Finland is nominating Petteri Ora for the Executive Committee of the International Abilympic Federation. Mr Ora works as a Development Director at Kiipula Foundation and has been in the IAF EXCO since 2021.

Petteri Ora has been a member of the board of Skills FinlandPetteri_Ora.jpg for a long time. He is also a member of the Education Committee of Rehabilitation International (RI) since 2016. Petteri Ora has broad expertise in Skills Competitions for students with special needs and the work of IAF, and has actively kept these matters in the attention of the board of Skills Finland. During his latest term, Mr. Ora has demonstrated his commitment to the IAF EXCO and furthered its positive impact on the International Abilympics community.

In Finland, we want to offer everyone an equal opportunity to study, which means that we are dedicated to the promotion of the education of those with special needs. The TaitajaPLUS competition for students who need special support is an integral part of the Finnish National Skills Competition event Taitaja. Taitaja event is the biggest education event in Finland. It is organised annually by Skills Finland and our network that consists of education providers, companies, and organisations.

In 2023 Skills Finland will explore the possibility of potentially organising an International Abilympics competition event in Finland in the future. In the past, Finland has organised two international WorldSkills events: WorldSkills Helsinki in 2005 and four skills as part of the WorldSkills Special Edition in 2022.

Finland has been an active member of IAF since 2007 and is one of the pioneer countries in developing Skills competitions for special needs students. Hosting a national competition together with VET schools and companies annually provides us with broad pedagogical know-how to organise fair, high-quality competitions. Skills Finland has a wide international network and has hosted international competitions in the past. As an EU member, Finland is committed to promote equal opportunities and offer first-rate education for all. Through competitions, we can connect special needs students with future workplace possibilities.