The Regional Roadshow expands and evolves – Pirkanmaa’s companies open their doors to future professionals

The Regional Roadshow is part of TAMK's regional higher education initiative and the Engineers in Technology Industry course, designed to provide students with practical insights into Pirkanmaa's industrial sector. The course helps students deepen their understanding of current industry challenges, available technologies, and company needs. The event offers valuable networking opportunities, which can lead to internships, summer jobs, and thesis topics.

– The course has grown even more this year. At TAMK's Industrial Engineering Unit, the entire Roadshow day was freed from other classes so that students could fully participate. Additionally, the course has been made available as an elective for all TAMK students, says TAMK lecturer and regional developer Timo Rainio.

The regions warmly welcomed the students

Collaboration between regions and higher education institutions is becoming increasingly important, and events like these play a key role in developing local expertise and vitality. Various areas in Pirkanmaa have actively supported the Roadshow, as companies aim to strengthen their ties with educational institutions and ensure the local workforce's skills continue to develop. The Regional Roadshow serves as a practical way to connect university students with regional businesses, allowing both sides to benefit from each other's expertise and resources.

This year, the buses traveled to Virrat, Ruovesi, Sastamala, Akaa, Hämeenkyrö, Ikaalinen, Parkano, and Mänttä-Vilppula. A total of 15 companies hosted visits, offering students valuable insights into career opportunities in their fields. In Mänttä-Vilppula, for example, MW-Kehitys Oy played a key role in organizing the event, with its entire six-member development team participating in the day's program. Students in the area visited Runtech Systems Oy, Refimex Machinery Oy, and Koneosapalvelu Oy, gaining valuable industry contacts and discussing future job prospects.

– In the future, every corner of Pirkanmaa will need motivated professionals. There are plenty of opportunities for students when we open doors to working life together. This year, the Roadshow already provided nearly 100 TAMK students with experience and essential connections, says Timo Rainio.

These connections often lead to internships, project work, and thesis opportunities, helping students graduate successfully and secure excellent jobs for their futures.

– This benefits the business sector as well, Rainio adds.

Further development of the event

TAMK remains committed to improving the Regional Roadshow and providing even more students with opportunities to explore regional job markets. This year, the event also included company presentations and talks in TAMK's auditorium for Industrial Technology students who could not participate in the Roadshow visits.

Looking ahead, further developments are planned, such as a separate Roadshow for international students with company visits conducted in English and an autumn event Regional Sprint.

– In the Regional Sprint, TAMK students will engage in a hackathon-style challenge to solve business and regional issues, further strengthening cooperation between the university and local communities, Timo Rainio explains.

The 2025 Regional Roadshow was yet another successful example of how university students and industrial companies can connect and build the future job market together.

– Now, we need to think about how many buses will depart from TAMK next year – and whether we should add a zero to the number of participants by dedicating an entire day at TAMK to this kind of industry collaboration, Rainio ponders.