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 2025 competition will be held in Turku. Turku Vocational Institute acts as the main organiser of the Taitaja2025.