ESG skills, inspiring encounters and Danish hospitality in Slagelse
The best ideas often emerge around a shared table – through conversation, exchanging experiences and bringing together different perspectives. Kaisa Nuutamo and Helena Miettinen from Innostus Consulting visited Slagelse to meet their Danish project partners at ZBC.
We received a warm welcome from Bjørg Dam, International Project Officer, and Benjamin Rasmussen, Education Manager, who introduced us to ZBC's activities and diverse learning environments.
The meeting was part of the Erasmus+ funded project ESG Reporting for Teaching Future Professionals in VET. In the project, ZBC and Innostus Consulting are jointly developing an engaging and practical short course on ESG reporting for vocational education and training teachers and students.
The project is based on the idea that, in addition to occupation-specific expertise, future professionals need an understanding of sustainability and the ability to apply ESG principles in working life.
A multidisciplinary and people-centred VET provider
Benjamin Rasmussen guided us around ZBC's Slagelse campus and introduced us to its programmes, practices and learning environments. The tour gave us an excellent overview of ZBC as a multidisciplinary vocational education and training provider with strong connections to working life.
We were particularly impressed by how visibly the United Nations Agenda 2030 goals and sustainable development are embedded in the institution's daily life, facilities and activities. Education at ZBC appeared innovative, practical and people-centred. Students' professional competence, well-being and readiness for working life are developed side by side.
The visit also gave us new ideas about how sustainability can be integrated into different vocational subjects in concrete and accessible ways. Our discussions with Benjamin helped us understand how ZBC brings sustainable development goals into practice and makes them part of students' professional competence.
The welcome at ZBC was warm and heartfelt. We had the opportunity to learn about the institution, exchange ideas on the development of education and enjoy excellent food. ZBC also educates future professionals for the restaurant and catering sector, so hospitality and delicious food were a natural – and particularly enjoyable – part of our visit.
ESG is more than reporting
At first, ESG reporting may sound like a complex subject relevant mainly to large companies and sustainability specialists. However, environmental responsibility, social responsibility and good governance increasingly affect workplaces and occupations across many different sectors.
VET teachers and students therefore need the skills to understand what ESG means in practice. By integrating sustainability competence into education today, we can better prepare future professionals to develop their workplaces, make responsible decisions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
During our meeting in Slagelse, we reviewed the results of a Finnish-Danish teacher survey conducted as part of the project and used them to develop the content of the forthcoming short course. Our discussions particularly highlighted the importance of clear language, practical tools, authentic company cases and a strong connection to working life.
Our aim is to develop a course that goes beyond concepts and reporting requirements. It should help participants identify sustainability-related questions in their studies, teaching and future occupations.
ESG is not only about reporting. It is also about making better decisions, developing more responsible practices and building the skills required in the future world of work.
Cooperating for a more responsible future
Finnish-Danish cooperation brings valuable comparisons and different perspectives to the development process. ZBC's strong expertise in vocational education and training complements Innostus Consulting's expertise in sustainability, educational development and cooperation with working life.
We left the Slagelse meeting with new ideas, more clearly defined content and, above all, a strong shared vision:
ESG competence belongs to everyone. Through practical education connected to working life, we can equip future professionals to become active contributors to responsible change.
Innostus Consulting Oy Ltd, Helena Miettinen & Kaisa Nuutamo