What is Taitaja?

Taitaja is an annual Finnish Championship of vocational skills, which serves as a showcase for vocational education and training. The first Taitaja competition was organised in 1988. In the Taitaja competition, young vocational students compete for Finnish Championship medals in skill categories based on vocational qualifications.

Competition categories include TaitajaPLUS skill categories intended for students who need special support, and in some categories, international contestants also get to show their skills. In the Taitaja finals, eight contestants, who have cleared their way through the semi-finals, compete to win each category.

Young vocational students who are turning 22 during the competition year or are younger can participate in Taitaja. Some of the categories have no age limit.

The organisation behind the event is Skills Finland ry, which transfers the right to organise the event to a different vocational education provider each year. Explore the history of the Taitaja event (at skillsfinland.fi).

In addition to being a competition, the event serves as a meeting venue for people working in vocational education and training and as a showcase for audiences interested in vocational education or considering career choices.

The 2023 competition will be held in Espoo

The Taitaja2023 event brings together the nations’ top students to compete for the Finnish Championships. The Taitaja2023 event will take place in Espoo on 8–11 May 2023. Omnia, the Joint Authority of Education in the Espoo Region acts as the main organiser of the Taitaja2023 Espoo event.

Ammattiopisto Live acts as a partner in organising the TaitajaPLUS skill categories. The main event venue is Tapiola Sports Centre (espoo.fi). Other event locations include Omnia’s Suomenoja campus and various business units, such as shopping centres.

The themes of the Taitaja2023 Espoo event are sustainable future, multiculturalism and internationality. The event slogan is #BePro.

The event is free of charge and open to all. Our goal is 75,000 visitors – please be one of them!

You are warmly welcome to join us!

Main event partners