SAMK, together with the Rauma and Satakunta Chambers of Commerce have carried out the region’s first work-life audits, in which company representatives assess and help develop the higher education institution’s connections with working life.
The aim of the work-life audits is to improve students’ transition into employment and better respond to companies’ needs for skilled professionals. The model has already been used elsewhere in Finland and has now been introduced in Satakunta.
– From a strategic perspective, it is important for us to build increasingly clearer and functional paths into working life for our students. This cannot be achieved without close dialogue with companies, says Timo Mattila, Vice President for Education at SAMK.
During the audits, experts from companies review the connections with working life, forms of cooperation and areas for development of educational institutions on a degree programme-specific basis. The work is practical and light in terms of time commitment.
– The company representatives invited to participate have been happy to do so, as the audit method is efficient. With a relatively small investment of time, we gain valuable insights, says Nina Pere, CEO of the Rauma Chamber of Commerce.
– It is nice to see that there is a great deal happening within educational institutions that people in companies have not previously been aware of, adds Minna Nore, CEO of the Satakunta Chamber of Commerce.
The first audits have been completed at SAMK, and the next step is to expand the model to vocational upper secondary education in Satakunta. The aim is to strengthen the region’s knowledge base and better meet the changing needs of working life.
