Awards for cross-cutting themes in the Taitaja2025 competition
Each year, the Taitaja competition rewards skill categories that best incorporate the cross-cutting themes: sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and occupational wellbeing and safety.
These themes were not treated as separate elements but formed an essential part of the planning and implementation of the skill categories and competition tasks, as required by section 5.6 of the Taitaja rules. The winners were selected by experts from different sectors, with a separate panel for each theme selecting the most distinguished skill category.
Entrepreneurship: Restaurant and catering services
The entrepreneurship award was judged by Mikko Kinnunen from the Federation of Finnish Enterprises (on the right) and Janne Virtanen from Kesko (on the left). The award was received by skill category managers Carina Heinonen and Eero Saanakorpi.
The restaurant and catering services category was awarded the entrepreneurship prize. According to the panel, the tasks clearly reflected entrepreneurial thinking: products were developed for a real company (Hesburger), entrepreneurs served as judges, and the tasks broadly measured the competencies needed in businesses. Creativity, innovation and cooperation with businesses were emphasised in the competition, all of which supported the participants’ work readiness and entrepreneurial competence.
Sustainable development: Floristry
The sustainable development award was judged by Tiina Taipale from the Finnish Environmental Institute SYKLI (on the right) and Veera Hakonen, a student from Turku University of Applied Sciences and author of the Taitaja2026 sustainability plan (on the left). The award was received by skill category managers Johanna Kourusuo and Kirsi Vesalainen.
The floristry category received the award for sustainable development. According to the panel, floristry stood out in its category description, tasks and assessment by comprehensively addressing sustainability challenges and presenting solutions to them. Especially commendable was how the category addressed ecological, social and economic aspects of sustainability and linked them to critical thinking skills. The category also identified megatrends shaping the industry and responded to them in an innovative and responsible way.
Occupational wellbeing and safety: Transport logistics
The occupational safety award was judged by Eeva Koskela from LähiTapiola (on the left in the photo) and Jenni Rinne from Turku Vocational Institute (on the right). The award was received by skill category managers Jani Tontti, Marko Hallisto and Akseli Väisänen.
Transport logistics was recognised for its consideration of occupational wellbeing and safety. The panel noted the category's strong emphasis on the induction of competitors and supporters, as well as the safe use of demanding machinery. Overall wellbeing and management of physical and mental workload also played a central role. The effects of using electric machines on wellbeing were highlighted in an exemplary manner.