Keuda and Skills Finland signed the hosting agreement for the Taitaja2026 competition in Turku
Keuda and Skills Finland signed the official hosting agreement on Wednesday, 7 May, in connection with the Taitaja2025 final in Turku. The agreement formally launches the preparations for the Taitaja2026 Finnish National Skills Competition. Finland’s largest vocational education and training event will take place in May 2026 in Keski-Uusimaa, hosted by Keuda.
Taitaja is an annual Finnish National Skills Competition that serves as a national showcase for vocational education and training. The themes of Taitaja2026 focus on sustainable wellbeing, caring, and partnership, reflecting Keuda’s core values. In addition to the competitions, the event will feature a wide range of side events, including seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities that add value and deepen the experience for visitors and participants alike.
“It is a great pleasure and honor to bring the Taitaja competition to Keski-Uusimaa. The event offers young talents an outstanding platform to demonstrate their skills, while also giving the entire region an opportunity to highlight its strong spirit of collaboration and commitment to developing vocational education to ensure the availability of skilled professionals for working life,” says Riikka-Maria Yli-Suomu, Managing Director of the Keuda Joint Municipal Authority.
“We invite all regional companies, employers, and municipalities to join us in organizing this unique major event,” Yli-Suomu continues.
Taitaja2026 offers more than a competition – it provides a unique experience, a sense of community, and a window to the future
The project organization for Taitaja2026 has already begun its work, led by Competition Director Hanna Nyrönen from Keuda. She highlights the importance of the event not only as a platform to showcase skills, but also as a way to inspire young people and clarify educational pathways:
“I have seen it many times – that moment when a young person watches a skilled professional at work and their eyes light up. A thought begins to form: maybe I could do that too. That spark is at the very heart of the Taitaja competition,” Nyrönen explains.
“We are setting out to build the Taitaja2026 event with enthusiasm and ambition. Our goal is to deliver an event that highlights young people’s skills and the importance of vocational education – one that leaves a lasting impression on participants, visitors, and the entire region.”
A forum for learning, collaboration, and regional development
Taitaja2026 is much more than a competition – it is a platform for learning, networking, and cooperation. The event is open to everyone and offers a unique opportunity to explore the breadth of vocational education and its role in society.
The aim is to increase awareness of vocational education in Central Uusimaa and to strengthen employment and regional vitality.
