14.5 – 17.5.2018 INTERNATIONAL GUIDE Taitaja2018 in Tampere, Finland From 14 May till 17 May 2018 Taitaja is the largest single annual vocational education and training event organised in Finland and it gathers tens of thousands of spectators. The main objective of the event is to improve the quality and attractiveness of vocational education and training. The competition for the Finnish championship includes 45 skills and approxi- mately 400 competitors. Some skills also have international competitors and students from upper secondary schools and universities of applied sciences. In addition, there is TaitajaPLUS competition for students with special needs and Taitaja9 competition for pupils in the comprehensive schools. Taitaja international Taitaja2018 offers international visitors an opportunity to experience the highly valued position of vocational education and training in the Finnish ed- ucation system. 21 competition skills have invited international competitors who have a chance to compete side by side with the best Finnish students. The international seminar Skills for the future takes place on Tuesday, 15 May at 12.00–15.15 in Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre TESC, seminar room Tähtien Sali. International visitors can design their own schedule in the event and choose what activities they want to participate. We want to make it easy for you to take part in the culture and nature activities by offering you a Guest Pass. Come and join us to make Taitaja2018 an inspiring and remarkable event! SÄRKÄNNIEMI SCANDIC TAMPERE STATION SCANDIC HOTEL KESKUSTORI TAMPERE RAILWAY LAPLAND CITY STATION PYYNIKKI SORSAPUISTO HOTEL PARK HILL HOTEL TORNI VILLA HOTEL TAMPERE ILVES HALL LAUKONTORI TESC 7 KM CITY CENTER PYHÄJÄRVI TESC TAMPERE AIRPORT 10 KM City of Tampere and the venues Tampere is the third largest city in Exhibition and Sports Centre TESC is Finland and the largest inland centre the venue of the competition, sem- in the Nordic countries. Currently inars, presentation skills and closing there are 228,000 inhabitants in ceremony. Tampere, and close to half a mil- lion inhabitants in Tampere Region, The venue of the opening ceremony which comprises Tampere and its of Taitaja2018 is Tampere Hall, Yli- neighbouring municipalities. Tam- opistonkatu 55, near the city centre pere is one of the three most rapidly and just 2 minutes’ walk from Lap- developing regions in Finland. It is a land hotel. The opening ceremony centre of leading-edge technology, takes place on Monday 14 May at research, education, culture, sports 19.00 and it is proceeded by a fiesta and business. in the Sorsapuisto park just next to Tampere Hall at 18.00. The main venue of Taitaja2018 event is Tampere Exhibition and Sports On Wednesday night we gather Centre (TESC http://web.tampereen- together in the cape of Särkän- messut.fi/tesc_en/), Ilmailunkatu 20. niemi, Laiturikatu 1 the location of It is situated 5,6 kilometres from the a popular amusement park and high city centre. grade restaurants. https://visittampere.fi/frontpage. Hotel information There are several hotels in a walking distance from the city centre. We recommend Lapland hotel, Yliopistokatu 44. Lapland hotel is a very good standard hotel, located in the city centre, a 2 minutes’ walk from Tampere Hall and 5 minutes’ walk to the bus stop for TESC public transport bus. Link to book accommodation in Lapland hotel: https://ilmo.contio.fi/meet- ingsmill/main.aspx?id=117. If you have not booked your accommodation yet, we advise you to book it as soon as possible, 30 March at the latest. Transportation From the airports to Tampere From the city centre to TESC Helsinki airport: You can take a train A convenient way to come to TESC is or bus to Tampere. Train connection by public transport. Competitors get Helsinki airport – Tikkurila – Tampere a free bus ticket for 14–17 May with takes about 2 hours (train change in their Competitor Pass. Tikkurila). You can book your train tickets in the website of the train Busses number 14 run from the city company: https://www.vr.fi/. centre to TESC every half an hour, during the rush hours more often. There are direct bus connections This bus stops at the railway station, Helsinki airport – Tampere. The bus main street Hämeenkatu and Central takes about 2,5 hours. The website Square Keskustori and drives then of the bus company: https://www. to TESC in about 20 minutes. The matkahuolto.fi/. Both of these web- website of the Tampere regional sites are also in other languages, at transport: http://aikataulut.tampere. least English. fi/?lang=en. Tampere airport: There is a bus con- Meals during the nection Tampere airport – Tampere city centre. The bus is 1A. The bus competition ticket costs 5 euros per person. You can pay in the bus. The busses run Competitors and jury members are every half an hour. offered a free lunch 14–17 May in TESC by their Competition Pass. A taxi from the airport to the city Special diets have been reported in centre costs about 40 euros for 4 the process of applications. persons. Team managers and visitors can have There are also some other connec- their lunch on their own cost in TESC tions from Tampere airport to the city restaurants. Competitors and jury centre (depending on the airlines). are offered some snacks during the See the website of the airport: competition. Competitors are offered https://www.finavia.fi/en/airports/ a water bottle which they can refill tampere-pirkkala/parking-access/ in the competition area during the public-transport. competition. Taitaja2018 for international competitors – hour by hour Monday 14 May 09.00–16.00 Accreditation of competitors, experts and managers in TESC entrance hall, Ilmailunkatu 20 11.00–15.00 Lunch for competitors and jury Other team members and visitors can have lunch on their own cost in the restaurants of TESC 13.00 International competitor info, seminar room Jupiter 14.00–16.30 Co-operation time for competitors, jury and skills teams in competition area 15.00–16.00 Meeting of jury and team managers 18.00–18.45 Accreditation of competitors, experts and managers in Tampere Hall, Yliopistonkatu 55 18.00 Fiesta in the park and teams gathering together, Sorsapuis to park next to Tampere Hall 19.00 Taitaja2018 Opening ceremony, Tampere Hall All Taitaja actives and affiliates are welcome to the Opening Ceremony! We introduce all competing teams, including the international teams, in the ceremony. You can bring a flag of your country with you. Competitors and team managers take part in the parade. Tuesday 15 May 8.00–19.00 Accreditation in TESC entrance hall 10.00–19.00 Taitaja2018 competition is open to the audience 10.30–11.30 Meeting of jury and team managers 11.00–15.00 Lunch for competitors and jury Other team members and visitors can have lunch on their own cost in the restaurants of TESC. Wednesday 16 May 08.00–17.00 Accreditation in TESC entrance hall 08.00–17.00 Taitaja2018 competition is open to the audience 09.00–16.00 Taitaja9 finals (for comprehensive school pupils) 09.30–10.30 Meeting of jury and team managers 10.30–15.00 Lunch for competitors and jury Other team members and visitors can have lunch on their own cost in the restaurants of TESC 18.00–21.00 Friends’ night in Särkänniemi amusement park, Laiturikatu 1. Free entrance to the amusement park. Competitors get an Särkänniemi Pass for amusement rides. Programme organized by the students’ union of Tredu Vocational College. 19.00 Networks’ night dinner in Särkänniemi amusement park A dinner for Taitaja actives, affiliates and partners in restaurant Näsinneula and in restaurant Välke. The dinner cards are for sale, just a limited amount. The link to book the dinner card: https://sarkanniemi.fi/osta-liput/taita- jat-2018. Thursday 17 May 8.00–12.00 Accreditation in TESC entrance hall 8–13 Taitaja2018 competition is open to the audience 9.30–10.30 Meeting of jury and team managers 13.00 Competition time ends 15.00–16.00 Feedback session in the competition area 16.00 Taitaja2018 Closing ceremony, TESC, D-hall The teams gather together in auditorium with the team manager (marked seats for all teams). Taitaja2018 experience for international guests International visitors can design their own schedule in the event and choose what activities they want to participate. We want to make it easy for you to take part in the culture and nature activities by offering you a Guest Pass. Monday 14 May 19.00 Taitaja2018 Opening ceremony, Tampere Hall 20.30-21.30 Get together evening in Lapland hotel, Yliopistonkatu 44. A light evening snack. (Guest Pass) Tuesday 15 May 9.00–11.00 Guided city tour on foot: Welcome to Tampere! (Guest Pass) Meeting point at Lapland hotel. During this tour you will visit some of the most interesting sights of the city centre. Charter bus transportation from Vapriikki Museum Centre to TESC 12.00–15.15 Skills for the Future – International Taitaja2018 seminar, TESC Wednesday 16 May 10.00–13.15 Explore Finnish nature: Hike on Pyynikki ridge (Guest Pass) Meeting point at Lapland hotel. This trip takes you up the Pyynikki ridge, a treasure of nature in the heart of the city and undoubtedly to the most beautiful view over the lake. Charter bus transportation from Pyynikki observation tower to TESC 19.00 Networks’ night dinner in Särkänniemi amusement park A dinner for Taitaja actives, affiliates and partners in restaurant Näsinneula and in restaurant Välke. The dinner cards are for sale, just a limited amount. The link to book the dinner card: https://sarkanniemi.fi/osta-liput/taita- jat-2018.