- Interview
- September 2024
Bridging Education and Industry
In this interview series, we will dig deeper into the work that will be carried out within the project. You will get to know the work packages and the people coordinating the efforts, known as work package leaders (WPLs). In the first of four parts, we focus on Work Package 3 and Kari Valkama, who works as a project manager at the Merinova Technology Centre in Vaasa, Finland.
Hi Kari, could you briefly introduce yourself and explain your role as a Work Package Leader for WP3 in the project?
In Work Package 3 of the Voltage project, my role is to oversee and manage the task-related processes ensuring that we meet the predefined targets. Additionally, I see myself as an active member contributing to the task-related work and supporting the partners and persons in them with any issues they may encounter.
What attracted you to this role, and how does your background prepare you for managing and coordinating WP3?
When I joined Merinova in early 2020 I started to work with the ALBATTS (Alliance for Batteries Technology, Training and Skills) project. ALBATTS was a blueprint project addressing the skills, and competencies needed in the battery value chain stages. It was an easy choice to continue with the battery education and training theme in the Voltage project.
“WP3 will provide insight into the best practices in creating fruitful collaboration between education and industry,which is of great importance when ensuring vocational education can efficiently perform to generate and provide the talent the battery industry needs”.
As we head into the autumn, what are the key activities and milestones planned for WP3, and what positive results do you hope to achieve during this period?
Milestone one is to organize the first Task 3.1-related online event in early December. The event, primarily conducted by the Swedish team, will present the exceptional business-education collaboration model applied in the Gothenburg Region. Milestone two is to organize the first Task 3.2-related battery camp for girls, during quarter 2 in 2025. The initial planning process will continue during this autumn. The event will be organized by the Finnish team. The battery camps will inspire girls to consider choosing a battery-related education and a career in the battery industry.
We also continue the initial planning process on creating inspiring short films about the job roles in the battery industry during the autumn.
Regarding Euroskills, we have decided to aim for Euroskills 2027 in Düsseldorf. During the transnational online meeting in October, we will have presenters who are well experienced with Euroskills contests to explain the related processes and share their best practices for preparing teams to attend the contests. This will start the process that will ultimately lead to the successful participation of the regional teams in Euroskills 2027.
In what ways do you think WP3 will contribute to the innovation in vocational education and training within the battery sector?
WP3 will provide insight into the best practices in creating fruitful collaboration between education and industry, which is of great importance when ensuring vocational education can efficiently perform to generate and provide the talent the battery industry needs.
Additionally, we need innovative mechanisms to ensure that there will be enough students choosing technology-related paths in vocational education in the first place.
What long-term impact do you hope WP3 will have on the vocational education landscape in the battery sector?
The tasks we will conduct in WP3 will hopefully yield a set of best practices that will contribute to boosting the education-industry cooperation European-wide. What the education sector can offer to meet the demand from the industry should be optimized for the sake of the future competitiveness of Europe. Also, I hope we can help make the battery industry appear as a very appealing and potential area for girls and all young people when it comes to building their future careers.
Cooperation and Partnerships (WP3)
Work Package 3 focuses on building strong collaborations and partnerships, in order to bridge the gap between education and industry, by innovation and increasing the attractiveness of vocational education and training (VET) within the battery sector.