Organisation of Abilympics

The member states of the International Abilympic Federation (IAF) select the organiser for every Abilympics competition. IAF is a global association that promotes the employment and skills of those with special needs or disabilities. IAF grants the right to organise the International Abilympics competition, which is organised once every four years.

Skills Finland’s official representative in the IAF and its board is Petteri Ora from the Kiipula Foundation.

Ms Katri Pokkinen from Skills Finland has been appoited as the Competition Director for Abilympics 2027. The whole personal of Skills Finland takes part in organising the competition.

A high-level Advisory Board has been nominated for the Abilympics 2027. Members are 

• Chair: Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Education, Ministry of Education and Culture
• Vice Chair: Petri Lempinen, Director General of the Ministry of Education and Culture
• Members:
  • Hannu Koivula, CEO of the Luovi Vocational College
  • Reetta Vanhanen, Deputy Mayor of the City of Helsinki
  • Janne Juvakka, CEO of the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities
  • Marcus Bergström, Director of Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
  • Katarina Murto, President of the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ)
  • Minna Kelhä, Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education
  • Marja Vartiainen, Chair of Skills Finland
  • Vertti Kiukas, Secretary General of the Finnish Federation for Social Affairs (SOSTE)
  • Antti Palola, President of the Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK)
  • Mikael Pentikäinen, CEO of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises

A Steering Group that works in more operational level has been formed of representatives from vocational institutions. Members are

• Chair: Joint Authority Director of Omnia
• Members:
  • Chair of Skills Finland
  • Representative of a general vocational institution
  • Chair of the AMEO Network
  • Representative of an institution providing intensive special needs support

Skills Finland is a non-profit organisation that promotes the appreciation of vocational education and training. 

Founded in 1993, Skills Finland works together with partners who share similar values and goals and have an interest in promoting vocational education. Skills Finland’s members and supporters include the Ministry of Education and Culture, the National Board of Education, vocational institutions and the most important labour and education organisations. 

Together with the partners, Skills Finland organises the Finnish skills championship – Taitaja – and send a national team to the WorldSkills, EuroSkills and Abilympics competitions.

Skills Finland is a member of, and represents Finland in, the international organisations WorldSkills International, WorldSkills Europe and International Abilympic Federation.

Finland’s goal in the International Abilympics is the development of excellence in vocational special needs education skills and the strengthening of internationalisation.