MULTIPOWER

Diverse work communities as a resource for SMEs

New competence for the SMEs employing or considering employing people with a foreign background. 

This project will end on 30.4.2026. Thank you for participating!

Designing learning with SMEs

How can language and culture be learned as part of work? How to build a multicultural work community? Is there a best way to develop international competence of the company’s personnel? How can we make international experts feel comfortable in South Savo region in Finland? 

Solutions to these questions were sought in MULTIPOWER (MONIVOIMA) by designing learning together with companies. We wanted competence development to become more flexible and clearer in the companies of the South Savo region. Finnish work is appreciated around the world, and experts working in Finland have a very high work ethic. There is always room for improvement in quality and competence in an ever-changing world, in order to maintain competitiveness and growth. 

Based on the needs, 0.25-2 ECTS credits of targeted training was built to be implemented in companies.

Key measures

  • Mapping the needs of SMEs in the themes of language and cultural learning and multiculturalism.  
  • Working with companies to design short, targeted training online, in the workplace or in workshops to meet their needs. 
  • Experimenting with design trainings in companies. 
  • Evaluating the results of experiments together with companies.  
  • By arranging peer-to-peer networking activities for companies related themes. 

Results

  • New skills for the work communities of SMEs employing people with a foreign background or considering employing them. 
  • Business- and learner-driven, precise training solutions. 
  • Strengthening companies’ resilience. 
  • Internationalisation expertise.  
  • Language and cultural awareness. 
  • Multilingual and modal models of work culture. 
  • New pedagogical models for learning Finnish language and culture at the workplace and business networks across regional borders. 
  • Learning design competence of teaching and guidance staff. 

Companies involved

  • A & O Resources Oy
  • Eero Tiainen Consulting Oy
  • Järvikylän Kartano Oy
  • Kruunuherkku Oy
  • Metatavu Oy
  • MH-Rakenne Oy
  • Norelco Oy
  • Riitek Oy
  • Waahto Group Oy

In co-operation with

Etelä-Savon yrittäjät (Entrepreneurs of South Savo)

South Savo Chamber of Commerce

Contact

Phone
+358503453412
Email
Laura.Kuismala@xamk.fi
Social media
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi

As a head of research group my main task is to promote and support the work of my team members and facilitating project preparation.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7111-5372

Laura Kuismala
Head of Research Group
+358503453412
Laura.Kuismala@xamk.fi
Social media
Phone
+358503124990
Email
Ulla.Korvenpaa@xamk.fi
Department
Yhteisten opintojen koulutusyksikkö

I work as a Finnish language and communication teacher and currently as an expert in the Monivoima project. I have taught in various programs, primarily in business administration and information technology. I serve as a language advisor for theses and also as a supervisor in thesis assistance. I am a member of Xamk’s accessibility working group. Accessibility in its various forms, especially clear language, is important to me. These principles guide my teaching and other work. I also have training as a language consultant. Additionally, I am a digital mentor and involved in pedagogical training.

  • communication in the work community
  • language and text maintenance
  • digital pedagogy
  • language and cultural competence
Ulla Korvenpää
Senior Lecturer
+358503124990
Ulla.Korvenpaa@xamk.fi

Articles

Key information of the project

Project name:

MULTIPOWER – Diverse work communities as a resource for SMEs

Project duration: 1.3.2024–30.4.2026

Info

Lead partner: Xamk
Focus area: Sustainable Wellbeing
Research team: Renewing working life
Impact goal: Entrepreneurship and high added value, People and user orientation

Budget

Financier and main source of funding: South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, co-funded by the European Union (ESR+)
Total budget: 361 000 euroa
EU part of the total budget: 289 000 euroa
Xamk part of the total budget: 361 100 euroa

Contacts

Phone
+358504796564
Email
Heli.Peltola@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Heli Peltola
Project Manager
+358504796564
Heli.Peltola@xamk.fi
Phone
+358503124990
Email
Ulla.Korvenpaa@xamk.fi
Department
Yhteisten opintojen koulutusyksikkö

I work as a Finnish language and communication teacher and currently as an expert in the Monivoima project. I have taught in various programs, primarily in business administration and information technology. I serve as a language advisor for theses and also as a supervisor in thesis assistance. I am a member of Xamk’s accessibility working group. Accessibility in its various forms, especially clear language, is important to me. These principles guide my teaching and other work. I also have training as a language consultant. Additionally, I am a digital mentor and involved in pedagogical training.

  • communication in the work community
  • language and text maintenance
  • digital pedagogy
  • language and cultural competence
Ulla Korvenpää
Senior Lecturer
+358503124990
Ulla.Korvenpaa@xamk.fi
Phone
+358503132261
Email
Minna.Lehesvuori@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Minna Lehesvuori
RDI Specialist
+358503132261
Minna.Lehesvuori@xamk.fi