19.12.2024

The Power of Co-Creation: Educational Institutions and Entrepreneurs Joining Forces

Working together with entrepreneurs is a great way to bring new ideas and solutions into vocational education and training (VET). The CE4RT project shows how these partnerships can benefit both educators and entrepreneurs, as well as the wider community.

For entrepreneurs, collaboration with VET teachers and students offers fresh ideas and access to future talent. It creates opportunities to solve real-world problems and develop practical, innovative solutions.

For teachers, working with businesses gives valuable insights into current industry challenges. Hearing directly from entrepreneurs about their struggles and solutions helps teachers bridge the gap between theory and practice. Projects like CE4RT are especially important for teachers who have worked in education for a long time. They offer a chance to learn something new, step into the role of a learner, and gain fresh inspiration.

Working with entrepreneurs is very different from teaching students, said Tourism Teacher Mika Nenonen and specialist of internationalisation Anne-Mari Behm. It requires a focus on real challenges and finding practical solutions. This kind of collaboration energizes teachers and helps them grow professionally while supporting sustainable practices and community development.

The CE4RT project proves how partnerships between VET institutions and businesses can drive positive change and create a more sustainable future.