The objective of the Path 2.0 project is to improve the supply, quality and aptitudes of continuous learning in the bio- and circular economy in Central Finland, based on a new approach to phenomenon- and learner-based cooperation between different educational institutions and employers. The project integrates the region’s exceptionally transversal expertise in sustainability-related research and development into the continuous learning offer of the bio- and circular economy. The project will help to respond to the ongoing restructuring of the bio- and circular economy. The sector’s skills needs are changing as digitalisation shapes the demand for bioeconomy products that are important for the region. Regulations aimed at minimising climate and nature benefits will be tightened and the pressure to increase the value added of bioeconomy products will increase. The increased environmental requirements of regional development funding and the orientation of the national EU recovery funding towards the green transition also mean demand for new types of bio- and circular economy professionals with strong sustainability skills. Solutions are needed to manage structural change. The objective of developing continuous learning will be achieved by creating a new operating model between educational institutions, the core of which is the organisation of continuing education in the sustainable bio- and circular economy in a work-based way, rather than an institution-based approach. The pathway map of continuous learning to a sustainable bio- and circular economy is an expression of the operating model to be developed in the project, to which all the concrete measures of the project aim. The measures can be divided into three main categories: 1) working life cooperation (including continuous mapping of employer needs), 2) the development of transitions from an educational establishment to another educational institution and from an educational establishment to work (including the design and piloting of continuous learning packages) and 3) learner-driven modelling of learning paths. The Path Map developed in the project will be used in career and study advice to build individual learning pathways. The project promotes sustainable development in a holistic way and improves gender equality by including in continuing education in the bio- and circular economy fields where the gender balance of students differs from more traditional technology-oriented studies. The project is implemented by POKE and Gradia, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences and the University of Jyväskylä. In other words, educational institutions that are oriented from the area to the field of sustainability research as well as those oriented to the needs of business and professional life are involved. By combining the specific expertise of the various participants, the project will exceptionally be able to integrate all aspects of sustainable development at the same time: environmental, economic and social sustainability.
