The personnel of Omnia vehicle department arranged an Open Day event on Thursday January 25th in Espoo. During the Day 29 comprehensive schools from Finland’s capital area sent their groups of 15-year-old pupils to hear and see, what kind of possibilities vehicle field could offer them. Auto Cove 2.0 project was also presented to the participants during the day. Altogether 280 pupils and around 40 companies were invited and they networked together with Omnia students and staff to hear and share information about possibilities of different vocational qualifications in vehicle field and also about internship and summer job possibilities in vehicle field companies.
Companies, which have car repair workshops, like Bilia, Hedin Automotive and Veho were represented in the day. Companies, who market vehicle tyres and vehicle spare parts were also represented. The company representatives told pupils, how vehicle field has changed and is still changing, due to the huge change in power sources for the engines. Vehicle technology is developing super quickly and requirements for the employees’ skills at the same time.
“We want to lift the profile of the vehicle field and grow the attraction towards the field”, told the Head of Omnia automotive department, Mr Kenneth Nordström. “Cars have become more and more electrified and one vehicle could contain 200 computers. To be able calibrate and repair them, one really needs special know-how. For instance, a diagnostic mechanic could only detect the faults of the vehicle. We need more skilled employees for the vehicle field, to be able to service also high-tech-vehicles in future in a reasonable time. Now the lack of skilled mechanics is so big, that it might take weeks to get the vehicle serviced”, he added.
Participants and target groups: Omnia vehicle field staff and students, 280 comprehensive school eight grade pupils from 29 different schools, 40 vehicle field companies, University of Applied Sciences: Metropolia.
Students were also shown some work shows about four-wheel-alignment and ADAS-calibration. Omnia’s Auto Cove 2.0 project team teachers Antti Järvenpää, Matti Rämö, Juha Hämäläinen and Jan Borg were responsible of these work shows.
Omnia’s own students were told about continuous study opportunities at tertiary level, when Omnia’s Auto Cove 2.0 project affiliated partner: Polytechnic Metropolia representatives told about vehicle engineer studies in their university of applied Sciences. They were also represented different internship and summer job opportunities at the vehicle field companies.
In conclusion, Omnia’s Open Day event on January 25th in Espoo effectively showcased the opportunities in the vehicle field to 280 eighth-grade pupils from 29 comprehensive schools. The event facilitated networking between students, staff, and 40 companies, highlighting the fast-paced changes in vehicle technology and the demand for skilled employees. Practical demonstrations on four-wheel alignment and ADAS calibration provided insights into modern vehicle maintenance. Collaborating with Polytechnic Metropolia emphasized continuous study opportunities, encouraging Omnia’s students to consider vehicle engineering studies. The event successfully achieved its goal of elevating the vehicle field’s profile and inspiring future generations to explore its dynamic possibilities.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.