The regional skills anticipation work carried out by the Southwest Finland Foresight Academy has been recognised as a European good practice. The assessment was conducted by Interreg Europe, the European Union’s interregional cooperation programme.
The recognition was awarded as part of the Interreg Europe-funded QUEEN project (Quality Apprenticeships for Evolving Labour Needs), through which a Good Practice description was prepared on the Foresight Academy’s operating model. Following a successful evaluation, the model has been added to the Interreg Europe Good Practice Database, which showcases effective regional practices from across Europe.
The evaluation particularly highlighted the practical nature of the model, the use of foresight intelligence in skills development, and the strong cooperation between education providers, employers and regional development organisations.
“Recognition of the Foresight Academy demonstrates that Southwest Finland has succeeded in developing a model in which foresight activities are carried out through close cooperation between companies, education providers, higher education institutions and regional development actors. Shared foresight intelligence helps identify changes in working life and emerging skills needs at an early stage and supports the effective targeting of development measures and investments,” says Esa Högblom, Senior Specialist at the Regional Council of Southwest Finland.
Foresight intelligence supports regional vitality and competitiveness
The Foresight Academy produces information on changes in working life and future skills needs. This information is used in educational planning, the development of lifelong learning, and strengthening cooperation between education and working life.
The activities directly support the objectives of the Regional Strategy of Southwest Finland, which places knowledge, regional vitality and competitiveness at its core. By anticipating changes in working life, education and training provision, continuing professional development and new learning pathways can be aligned with evolving skills needs.
The aim is to strengthen the availability of skilled labour and support companies and other employers in finding the expertise they will need in the future.
Southwest Finland’s model attracts interest across Europe
According to the expert assessment, the Southwest Finland Foresight Academy is a mature, sustainable and highly transferable model that effectively links foresight intelligence with skills development, education planning and workforce development while strengthening regional vitality, competitiveness and resilience in the face of future change.
Through the Interreg Europe-funded QUEEN project, regions across Europe exchange experiences and develop new operational models related to apprenticeships and work-based learning strengthening cooperation between education and working life. In Southwest Finland, the project is coordinated by Turku University of Applied Sciences, while the Regional Council of Southwest Finland participates as an associated partner. The Foresight Academy serves as a key regional cooperation network within this development work.
Experiences from Southwest Finland have already been shared with project partners across Europe. During a Good Practice virtual workshop to be held this autumn, the Foresight Academy’s foresight methods and operating model will also be presented for use by other partner regions.
Read the Foresight Academy’s original news article on the topic.
Further information:
Esa Högblom
Senior Specialist
Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Jenni Suominen
Senior Specialist
Turku University of Applied Sciences
Photo: Turku University of Applied Sciences / Tinksu Wessman
