Tsemppari Honorable Mention to Vocational College Spesia
The discretionary Tsemppari Honorable Mention is presented annually to a small education provider that has demonstrated exceptional activity in the Taitaja skills competition. This year, the award was given to Vocational College Spesia, whose medal placements in the Taitaja competition have increased.
The awards committee appointed by the Board of Skills Finland grants annually the discretionary Tsemppari Award to a small education provider that has significantly increased the number of students registered for the Taitaja semifinals compared to the previous year, registered a high number of competitors relative to its size, or otherwise demonstrated exceptional activity in Taitaja activities during the year.
This year, the award was given to Vocational College Spesia.
“Spesia, in its special mission, has with a positive attitude developed participation in skills competitions and highlighted the development of students’ competence related to them. Their participation in the semifinals and progression to the final competition has increased since 2022, and the number of medal placements has grown. Their committed approach to developing competition activities has been reflected among both staff and students,” the awards committee explains.
“We are truly honored and proud of this award! Our students are highly skilled future professionals. Our placement among the top four institutions with the most Taitaja medals also speaks to this,” says Annemari Suonsivu, Principal of Vocational College Spesia.
Annemari explains that Spesia has been investing more in competition activities, starting from the leadership level. Competition activities have been widely integrated into studies. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the semifinals. Whenever possible Spesia aims to organize semifinals in-house, because it lowers the threshold for students to participate.
Participating in competition activities is a shared effort across the entire vocational college. “Winners are celebrated widely at our campuses. This year, we organized a cake-and-coffee celebration at all Spesia locations in the honor of our competitors. Shared success has inspired the whole community to get excited about competing,” Annemari notes.
The staff of the vocational college play a significant role in promoting competition activities. Annemari says that Spesia has many strong competition experts whose contribution to supporting and guiding interested students into competition activities is invaluable. She extends her thanks to the entire staff of Ammattiopisto Spesia for their comprehensive involvement in Taitaja activities.
Competition activities are a collective effort, and hundreds of people actively participate in Skills Finland's network. Education providers enable their staff to take part, and we want to recognize all these contributors, something the Tsemppari Award also represents.
Congratulations to Ammattiopisto Spesia for receiving the Tsemppari Honorable Mention and succeeding in competitions!