At the start of the week I ventured to Helsinki for the final European Business Baccalaureate Diploma (EBBD) project meeting. The meeting brought down the curtain on a three-year EU funded project, which focused on developing a European award which recognized business and international skills and competences. The final meeting was focused on reporting and evaluation and discussing the sustainability of the project. The meeting took place at the lead project partner Suomen Liikemiesten Kauppaopisto (Helsinki Business College). Running next door in the national exhibition center was the Taitaja -skills competition, the largest vocational education event in Finland, which brought together more than 500 competitors and 80,000 visitors and exhibitors. The event promotes vocational education, highlights key skills required in the economy and connects vocational education with entrepreneurs and companies. This made it possible to dip into the event in the afternoons and during breaks. It was nice to explore all the stands and workshops focused on a range of industries and skills, including a typically Finnish Rovio Angry Birds stand, highlighting programing and coding skills.
The evenings provided the chance to explore Helsinki a little, a city which seems to have some similarities to Moscow but with a coastline and harbor. The similarities include a love for the sun when it emerges and some of the architecture. Helsinki is a relatively low rise capital city and one evening we found the time to have a drink at the Torni hotel’s Ateljee rooftop bar, which has an uninterrupted view over the city from the 14th story.
Robin Bell 