Online learning environment for risk management and complementary digital skills (KOMPASSI)
The coronavirus pandemic has shown that the entire world can change rapidly. At the moment, also digitalization serves as a driver for the ongoing changes in the operating environment. People must be prepared for unexpected changes (that is, for potential risks) not only in business but also in career planning. In its broadest sense, risk management is the ability to deal with all kinds of change and uncertainty (threats and opportunities). Similarly, digital risk management is the ability to deal with change and uncertainty in a digitalizing society and operating environment. Risk management, together with complementary digital skills, forms a good knowledge base for dealing with the challenges of constantly digitalizing operating environment. With these skills, the threats of digitalization can potentially be turned into opportunities. Therefore, risk management should be perceived as a new civic skill in the continuously digitalizing society.
The aim of the project was to implement a digital learning environment for obtaining a set of competencies based on risk management and complementary digital skills. Skills that can be improved through the learning environment and complement risk management capabilities include e.g. lifecycle assessment, continuity management and cybersecurity. The combination of these skills can benefit many business sectors affected by digitalization. The project prepared rich learning materials related to these topics, such as a risk management learning game. The target groups of the learning environment include companies based in South Ostrobothnia (Finland) and unemployed individuals in the region who are under 25 years of age. Use of the learning environment was free of charge. The skills acquired through the digital learning environment promote the company’s business and the employment opportunities of the individuals.
The project was funded by the European Social Fund REACT-EU. REACT-EU projects are funded as part of the European Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order to achieve the objectives described above, the activities in the project were divided into six work packages as follows:
WP1: Design and implementation of the digital learning environment
WP2: Implementation of learning materials
WP3: A learning game for risk management skills
WP4: Stimulating the use of the learning environment
WP5: Quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the learning
WP6: Assessment of learning needs in the region
The main results and deliverables are as follows:
– A digital learning environment with materials for three study modules with the following preliminary topics:
1) Risk management skills in a digital operating environment;
2) Risk management in lifecycle assessment and continuity management;
3) Risk management as part of cybersecurity preparedness.
– A learning game as a component of the digital learning environment.
– The quantified objectives set for the project are achieved.
– The know-how introduced and the experiences gained in South Ostrobothnia during the project will create a basis for activities in the region during the next EU programming period 2021-27. The project will identify the needs and means for establishing a Digital Innovation Hub for digital risk management in South Ostrobothnia, which would strengthen the region’s smart specialization strategy.
Project group:
- Juha Arrasvuori, University of Vaasa (Project manager)
- Mikael Mäenpää, University of Vaasa
- Pirjo Yli-Viitala, University of Vaasa
- Maria Tuuri, University of Vaasa
- University of Tampere representative
