Exploring Future Apprenticeships in SouthWest Finland
On 20–21 May 2026, QUEEN Project partners met in Turku, SouthWest Finland, for a two-day interregional meeting focused on improving internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning across Europe. Hosted by Turku University of Applied Sciences, the event brought together partners and stakeholders to exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation between education and industry.
The meeting marked a key step as the project moves from analysis to identifying and adapting good practices that can inform policy improvements in participating regions.
Responding to a changing world of work
Opening the event, Juha Kontio highlighted the strong role of internships in Finnish universities of applied sciences, while noting the need to continuously develop models due to rapidly changing labour markets. Key themes included “quality by design”, stronger employer partnerships as co-educators, more flexible workplace learning, and equal opportunities.
Project lead partner ASEV, represented by Lorenzo Sabatini, outlined the next phase of identifying regional solutions and strengthening interregional exchange.
Regional cooperation at the heart of development
A major focus of the first day was the presentation of the Regional Council of Southwest Finland and its new Southwest Finland Regional Strategy 2040+ and Regional Programme 2026–2029.
Presenting the strategy, Salla-Maria Lauttamäki described Southwest Finland as a “builder of connections” linking Finland to the West. The strategy places strong emphasis on continuous learning, talent attraction and retention, entrepreneurship, and cooperation between education providers, businesses, and regional stakeholders.
Discussions highlighted initiatives such as regional placement pools, recruitment and skills forums, and micro-credentials to address labour shortages, alongside shared European challenges like talent retention, demographic change, and skills mismatches.
Strengthening workplace guidance through cooperation
Raseko - Raisio Regional Education and Training Consortium presented its approach to workplace instructor training. Inna Ahlqvist showcased how regional cooperation supports guidance skills through training, online learning, and self-study materials. Partners expressed strong interest in developing similar mentor support models.
Exchange of good practices across Europe
Workshops enabled partners to compare experiences on apprenticeships and internships across regions. Common themes included tutor training, employer engagement, guidance resources, and quality assurance. Outcomes will inform upcoming exchanges, good practice refinement, and stakeholder workshops.
Learning from industry and the regional ecosystem
The Turku meeting also included a study visit to Meyer Turku and its Shipbuilding School, offering participants direct insight into cooperation between education providers and one of the region’s key industries.
As one of the most important employers in Southwest Finland’s maritime cluster, Meyer Turku demonstrated how close collaboration with educational institutions supports the recruitment and development of future professionals. Participants discussed both the opportunities and challenges related to apprenticeships and on-the-job learning within the shipbuilding sector. In addition, participants experienced examples of authentic learning environments through a visit to the teaching restaurant of the Turku Vocational Institute, where students train in a real business setting.
Looking ahead and exploring future visions
The second day introduced the upcoming interregional capacity-building activities coordinated by EARLALL. The planned modules will focus on establishing a shared understanding of quality apprenticeship criteria, learning from project good practices, and supporting partners in designing and achieving policy change.
Participants also took part in a Futures Platform workshop facilitated by Esa Högblom and Mauri Kantola. The session introduced the Futures Platform, a
foresight tool used by the Foresight Academy to support long-term strategic thinking and regional development.
Through interactive discussions, participants explored future visions for apprenticeship training and reflected on how changing labour market needs, technological development, and evolving skills demands may shape work-based learning systems in the years ahead.
The meeting concluded with discussions on future project activities, including bilateral exchanges between partner regions and preparations for the next QUEEN project meeting, which will take place in Cork in November 2026.