Technology, ICT and lately global warming have played a big role in changing how people look at logistics and transportation. What is the origin of the products we buy at stores, how they are transported to our door-step. What can be done to make logistics more efficient and with high quality, yet having the environmental aspect in mind? What is the role of vocational institutions that are training transportation vehicle operators for the future?

North Karelia Municipal Education and Training Consortium, Riveria (FI) and Viljandi Vocational Training Centre (EE) have together planned to run a Project that focuses on the Logistics Qualification in both countries, share knowledge and allow the students to have the opportunity to practice there first international professional encounter, where they can challenge their professional., linguistic and cultural skills. Both organisations have long experience in international projects, but this is a new partnership.

The cooperation started in autumn 2019 when teachers from Riveria started searching for a partner from Estonia with which they could start an international project. Viljandi Vocational Training Centre was found through contacts that one of the teachers in the Logistics department had in Viljandi. During the visit the teachers discussed the possibilities of a Nordplus Junior Project. Later the coordinators of both organisations met online and started with the planning and application process. During the two year period, the Project will include class exchanges and teacher exchanges. An attentive programme will be attached to this application.

Finland and Estonia are by population two small countries far from the heartlands of Europe and on the northern side of the 25th meridian east. The countries are separated by the Gulf of Finland. Apart from being EU members, both countries have played important roles in the progress of the region. Considering the distant location of both countries, businesses and the industry couldn't operate without flawless functional logistics. For example, Finland is a small nation of long distances and all businesses and services in the country are all reliant on logistics. In addition the climate conditions bring along different challenges. Vegetation in the country is limited by the seasons, thus importing them from southern countries is inevitable. Even though importing goods is one of the most important aspects that support the entire economy in Finland, yet exporting goods and products plays even a bigger role. However, and even though Finland has a long border with Russia also land borders with Sweden and Norway in the northern part of the country, yet one of the most important transportation routes is with Estonia. Just across the Gulf of Finland, Estonia is a fast route for importing and exporting goods and services between the North and the South. Vocational training in the field of Logistics is of high quality in both. Training skilled drivers and operators is very crucial to make sure the Logistics in both countries is of high quality, efficient and safe.

Having the above facts in mind, the Logistics Divisions at North Karelia Municipal Education and Training Consortium, Riveria (FI) and Viljandi Vocational Training Centre (EE) have together planned to run this Project focusing on the Logistics Qualification in both countries, sharing knowledge and allowing students to have the opportunity to practice their first international professional encounter, where they can challenge their professional, linguistic and cultural skills. Both organisations have long experience in international projects, but this is a new partnership. The cooperation started in autumn 2019 when teachers from Riveria started searching for a partner from Estonia with which they could start an international project. Viljandi Vocational Training Centre was found through contacts that one of the teachers in the Logistics department had in Viljandi. During the visit the teachers discussed the possibilities of a Nordplus Junior project. Later the coordinators of both organisations met online and started with the planning and application process.

Technology, ICT and lately global warming have played a big role in changing how people look at logistics and transportation.

• What is the origin of the products we buy at stores, how are they transported to our door-step?
• What can be done to make logistics more efficient and with high quality, yet having the environmental aspect in mind?
• What is the role of vocational institutions that are training transportation vehicle operators for the future?

For the past decade, Riveria has in every of its divisions improved learning environments that are more sustainable. This means that the learning process does not burden the environment and recycling is integrated and adapted in almost every operation. Vocational training in the field of Logistics involves a lot of practical training and using transportation vehicles every day wouldn't be environmentally friendly, not to mention the economical aspect regarding the fuel consumption and equipment ware. Moreover, in case of newcomers, the risk of accidents and the risk of damage caused to the expensive vehicles is too high. That is why Riveria has invested in developing high-tech simulation units also for for the Logistics Division. The units allow the newcomers to have a soft-start and improve their skills in a safe, economical and environment friendly process. Integrating the simulation teaching in the curricula has improved learning process and how the students have been able to link the theoretical studies to the practical. There is no risk in taking the first steps, since errors don't lead to accidents or material damage. During this Project knowledge on simulators and their integration to the curricula will be transferred to the Estonian students and teachers.

As an open land route to Russia and south Europe, Viljandi has been long providing the opportunity for students to practice cross border transportation. During this Project, those are skills and experiences will be transferred to the Finnish students and teachers. The class exchanges will be done also by travelling in 9 seater vans, between Joensuu and Viljandi. On both routes, the groups have to take the boat to cross the Gulf of Finland. Hence, every class exchange will include 8 students and 1 teacher traveling to the Partner school destination. In total, during the entire Project there will be four class exchanges. Driving by van for a bout 700 km will require from the teachers to follow long distance transportation regulations, which will serve a as a simulation trip for the traveling students.