PRESS RELEASE: Finland's top skilled professionals awarded at Taitaja Competition
The Finnish National Championships in vocational skills have been awarded today. Max Miettunen, the winner of the property management category, was named the overall best competitor, Taitajien Taitaja.
Waiter Category at Taitaja2024 Event. Photo: Katri Bäck (Savon ammattiopisto / Skills Finland)
The Taitaja2024 event was held in Kuopio from May 20 to 23, 2024. Over 400 young students in vocational education competed for national championship medals. Medals were awarded in 49 skills, five of which were TaitajaPLUS skills designed for students with special needs.
Max Miettunen, a student at the Omnia Educational Consortium in Espoo, was selected as Taitajien Taitaja, the best of the best. He competed in property management. The Taitajien Taitaja is a gold medalist in their category who will serve as a representative of vocational education for a year. He will also receive the use of a fully electric Volvo EX30 car for one year.
Sustainability, workplace safety, and entrepreneurship are themes that must be reflected in all skills in Taitaja. The event awards a prize to the category that has exemplarily incorporated these themes each year.
This year's awards were given as follows:
- The Sustainable Development Award went to Horse Care.
- The Entrepreneurship Award went to Garment Manufacturing.
- The Workplace Safety and Well-being Award went to Cleaning Services.
The playful knowledge and skill competition for middle school students, Taitaja9, was won by the team "Saber-toothed Tigers" from Sydän-Laukaa School.