The growth companies operating in Kymenlaakso region in the field of defined RIS3 spearheads have highlighted the non-availability of skilled labor to be an obstacle for the growth. According to the Statistics Finland 23% of the companies in South-East Finland have recruitment problems. “Competitiveness of the Regions 2016″ report published by The Central Chamber of Commerce entitled that 44% of the surveyed companies in the Kymenlaakso region reported difficulties in finding labor. Difficulties with the supply of labour have also come to the fore in different parts of the country. Some 128,000 of the 133,000 new jobs created in the last ten years have been in companies employing fewer than 10 people, so the role of Small and Medium Sized Companies as employers in Finland is highly relevant and thus all possible acts should be taken in order to insure the availability of skilled labour for those companies.
KYMIEXACT project measures were focused in particular in RIS3 lines of business in Kymenlaakso region. The results of this project benefited all other business lines in the region, too. The KYMIEXACT model and related mechanisms are unique from the point of view of national as well as EU perspective as it provides agile and flexible models for producing learning paths for the immediate needs of skilled labour. KYMIEXACT project was about building competence development solutions and personalized learning paths based on the actual request and needs of local businesses. KYMIEXACT project was conducted with co-operation between all parties and organisations involved with adult education in the Kymenlaakso region.
Construction of agile KYMIEXACT –learning paths were based on interests of learners and regional companies. KYMIEXACT project enabled creation of flexible and modular learning paths via cooperation between all eduactors in the region. The project supported the creation of new models of collaboration related to learning paths of smart specialization benefiting business needs within Kymenlaakso region. The above-mentioned
also involved the channeling of funding to enable the provision of flexible learning paths and overcoming financial questions. KYMIEXACT steering committee consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Economic Affairs And Employment and the local ELY Centre. The project involved development of various new service models such as discussing “the new roles of libraries” and studying those cases where new good practices have been created in Finland and in other European regions. As crosscutting themes within the entire work package, KYMIEXACT project utilized a wide range of participatory approaches and tools in creating:
- Close encounters and participatory web tools to support co-creational development
- Actions carried out via multidisciplinary approach
- International perspective
- Measures for KYMIEXACT work packages
Many types of digital and co-working methods were used during KYMIEXACT project to increase the area’s vitality and discussion around important themes related to increasing of human capital in the region.