By Anna Schier, The Finnish Adult Education Centre
The Helsinki Reskilling Lab, in Finnish called TyövisLab, was implemented in spring 2026 by the Helsinki Finnish Adult Education Centre in cooperation with Helsinki Vocational College. The pilot was connected to the TUVA programme, which supports transitions to upper secondary education and working life.
A total of 35 adult learners participated in a 36-hour course. The group consisted of adults with limited digital skills at a key transition point, all with an immigrant background. Most were preparing to start work placements, which made the support timely and highly relevant, especially in relation to the digital and language skills needed in real workplace settings.
The implementation benefited from a shared organisational framework, enabling smooth cooperation, a clear division of roles, and aligned learning pathways. The pilot also introduced TUVA learners to the adult education centre’s courses and community, supporting their engagement in lifelong learning.
Learning approach
The pilot combined digital skills, language support, individual guidance, and elements that supported wellbeing. A key lesson was that, for learners with limited language skills, digital skills development needs to be closely linked to language learning. This requires a language-aware approach throughout the process.
Learning focused on practical everyday tasks such as word processing, searching for information, and creating presentations. The approach emphasised learning by doing, personalised support, and individual guidance.
Learners also had the opportunity to earn national digital skills badges. Wellbeing was integrated through regular breaks, light physical activity, and attention to ergonomics. Vocational students from Helsinki Vocational College participated as part of their studies, supporting TUVA learners while developing their own customer service skills.
Outcomes and reflections
The pilot strengthened learners’ confidence and independence, particularly in managing everyday digital tasks and preparing for workplace contexts.
As one participant described:
“I feel more able to do things independently. Not completely yet, but better than before.”
The Helsinki experience underlines the importance of integrated skills development, personalised support, and strong cooperation between actors. It also demonstrates how existing structures can be used effectively to create accessible learning opportunities.
Importantly, the pilot highlighted the added value of adult education centres in complementing formal education provision. They can offer additional, low-threshold support for those who need it most and connect learners to continuous learning opportunities and communities beyond formal programmes.
Looking Ahead
The Helsinki Reskilling Lab pilot shows how the RESCALE model can be applied in practice. It highlights the need for sustained support for learners with limited language and digital skills, as well as the key role of adult education providers in enabling continuous learning.
As part of RESCALE, the pilot contributes to the development of scalable approaches that support more inclusive participation in learning and working life across Europe.
About the RESCALE Project
Project name: RESCALE
Website: https://rescale-eu.com/
Partners: 7 project partners across Europe
Main focus: Up- and reskilling adults in transition, including unemployed, inactive, and in-transition workers
RESCALE responds to the need for stronger basic, transversal, digital, and green skills among adults who are at risk of being left outside education and labour-market transitions. According to 2020 OECD data, 9% of adults aged 25–64 with below-upper-secondary education were unemployed. At the same time, many unemployed, inactive, and in-transition adults do not participate in adult education.
The project will:
- Build and pilot an innovative Reskilling Lab infrastructure that strengthens transversal, basic, digital, and green skills.
- Develop an assessment tool to identify skills and support learners’ pathways.
- Create a European Reskilling Labs model, including a Lab blueprint, an enhanced career guidance, counselling, and mentoring framework, and innovative training materials and methods.
- Run Labs in 7 countries for 210–350 participants.
- Conduct scientific evaluation and publish a digital manual and roadmap for practitioners.
- Provide a policy model, a digital decision-support prototype, and a business model to help scale effective up- and reskilling strategies.
About NLL Network for Digital Integration
The NLL Network for Digital Integration aims to strengthen digital inclusion in the Nordic region by building cooperation between public agencies, education providers, municipalities, companies, and civil society.
This article about Helsinki Reskilling Lab is part of the network’s work with identifying and communicating Nordic and European projects and initiatives that strengthen digital integration and digital competencies.
