Kesko awarded the best theses of Polytechnics

Cooperation with educational institutions is highlighted as competition for competence is tightening

The prizes of the Polytechnics’ national Thesis contest were distributed at the Polytechnics event in Kokkola on Thursday, 10 May 2007. Out of the total 189 entries, 15 best ones were awarded with scholarships of €1,000, while the theses awarded with an honorary mention received scholarships of €500. The total value of scholarships amounted to €29,000. The sponsor of the prizes is Kesko Corporation.

The Thesis contest, arranged since 1992, aims to increase the recognition of the polytechnic degrees and highlight their special features and connections to the working life. Kesko is the sponsor of the contest prizes in the years 2007 - 2009. The project is also supported by the Ministry of Education with an annual contribution.

Polytechnics are an important stakeholder group for Kesko, which employs competent people in different areas on a versatile basis. In all, Kesko and K-stores have some 50,000 employees in the Nordic countries, the Baltic countries and Russia. They have nearly 700 different job titles. K-Group employees with a polytechnic degree include marketing, financial administration and logistics professionals, and K-retailer entrepreneurs.

“The operating environment in the trading sector is changing and becoming more international, and work assignments are increasingly demanding. With increasing competition in recruitment, cooperation with educational institutions will be further highlighted,” says Riitta Laitasalo, Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Kesko Corporation.

The K-Group has cooperated with educational institutions for a long time. A key form of cooperation is the Master Assistant training programme, in connection of which the K-Group annually offers 5,500 students an opportunity to participate in retailing training free of charge. Additionally, Kesko organises courses and seminars for teachers and career and recruitment events for students. Kesko also participates in the planning and development of teaching in retailing in various advisory boards and bodies of schools and organisations.

Further information:

Kesko Corporation, Riitta Laitasalo, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, +358 1053 22060

Rector Lauri Lantto, Chairman of the Thesis Executive Committee, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, tel. +358 50 60590

Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a retail specialist whose stores raise the quality of consumers’ everyday lives by offering highly-appreciated products and services at competitive prices. Kesko operates in the Nordic and Baltic countries and Russia.