Eastern Education Group (EEG) is building a fintastic link up between Bury St Edmunds and Finland.
Right now, a group of learners from Finland are visiting the UK to take part in a series of work exchanges with local companies.
The students (from Finland) are on a mixture of business, cooking and manufacturing courses and were given opportunities at The Angel Hotel, the Greene King Visitor Centre, Javelin and Avant.
Then later this year, a group of students from Bury will travel to Tredu College as part of an exchange programme.
In addition to the exchange collaboration – Avant – a Finnish company based on the Rougham industrial estate just outside Bury St Edmunds – has recently employed two apprentices from West Suffolk College. (West Suffolk College is part of EEG).
One of these apprentices (Amy Cobbold) has completed their apprenticeship and been given a full-time job. The other (Harry Boreham) is still in training.
Avant has given two students from Finland work placement opportunities whilst in the UK and they have also pledged to fund a trip for two UK West Suffolk College based students to go their factory in Finland. (More generally they support Bury through sponsoring the rugby club).
Phil Stittle is the Executive Director for Business and Strategic Growth. He said: “The partnership between Eastern Education Group, Finland, West Suffolk College, Greene King, Javelin, The Angel Hotel and Avant is important because it shows what can be achieved when education and industry work together.
“Talking specifically about the link with Avant, they are a major local employer with strong roots in Finland and they have a global reputation for engineering excellence, yet they are investing in developing talent right here in Suffolk.
Katri Karvinen is a teacher at Tremu college. She said: “Our students are so pleased to be here and I think this partnership is important for the students to improve their language, find out more about a different culture and it’s great for countries to cooperate.
“I hope this will be a continuous partnership and our students will benefit from these opportunities. My time here has been great, the people are polite and I’m looking forward to seeing the relationship thrive.”
Some of the students from Finland are busy supporting local Bury businesses through the exchange programme.
Elmo Oksanen is working at Javelin. He said: “It’s been fun and I’ve learnt lots – the staff have been amazing.”
Lucy Payne is the store manager at Javelin. She said: “Elmo has been brilliant.”
Emilia Chepkasova is a student working for Greene King. She said: “It’s been really good – it’s a nice place with nice people. It’s been helpful for my English. Bury is a really cosy town.”
Karen Long is the manager of the Greene King Beer Café. She said: “Karen Long is the manager of the Greene King Beer Café. She said: “We’re pleased to welcome Emilia and give her the chance to build her skills with us. This is a great initiative to help strengthen the links between our two countries.”
Pihla Lintula and Veeti Suopanki have been working at The Angel Hotel. Pihla said: “It’s been really good. The placement is helping me.”
Rob Reynolds is a sous chef at The Angel. He said: “I used to work at the college and really see the benefit in work and industry experience.”
Atso Kivikyto has been training at Avant. He said: “It’s been educational.”
Mandy Maguire is the HR Office manager who also supports health and safety as well as finance at Avant. She said: “It’s great for students to learn how we do things here and vice versa and to get that experience and knowledge is key. We can learn from each other and build relationships.”
David Butler is the Group Work Placement Lead for Eastern Education Group. He said: “This collaboration with Finland demonstrates how international partnerships can create life-changing opportunities for students while strengthening links between education and industry.”
Part of the project was funded by Erasmus+. Naomi Meara is a Group Head of School for Eastern Education Group and she thanked the scheme for their support. She said: “Erasmus+ creates valuable support and opening opportunities for young people. We are delighted to be working with them. They help open up the world to our students, giving them connections with other countries, just like this great collaboration with our Finnish friends and colleagues.”
