EduDiamond - Enhacing teachers' lifelong learning

The aim of the EduDiamond project is to develop a research-based approach to support the continuous learning of teaching staff. The model is based on a survey of new teachers’ work-life skills and in-service training of teaching staff. It will be developed in a strategic network between different levels of education, municipalities and organisations. The coordinator of the project is the Kokkolan University Consortium Chydenius and the partners are the University of Lapland, the University of Oulu, the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Tampere.

NEED

There are both structural and substantive challenges in the area of continuous learning for teachers, in particular in supporting newly qualified teachers in their transition from education to working life, the so-called induction phase, and in the reorganisation of networks of continuous learning providers. The current response to the development of competences throughout a career is insufficient. Sharing good practice, cooperation and bold structural reforms are needed to strengthen expertise.

OBJECTIVES

The project aims to

• Provide a snapshot of the current state of continuous learning of education staff and the induction and professional development needs of newly qualified and early career teachers in particular.
• Provide a comprehensive overview of the current pathway of continuous learning for teachers.
• Establish strategic networking around continuous learning.
• Strengthen the provision of continuing learning to meet teachers’ perceived need for professional development and to provide career-long continuing learning services in the future in a diverse and equitably accessible way.
• Make the provision of continuing learning financially viable for higher education institutions, associations and organisations.
• Develop a new national e-learning delivery model proposal for the delivery of lifelong learning.

RESULTS

The results of the project are

• A research-based and comprehensive survey of the current situation of continuous learning and the needs of the teaching staff for professional competence development.
• Gathering training providers into strategic networks, enabling the joint and multifaceted development of lifelong learning services.
• A national induction model for the induction of new teachers and the strengthening of faculty cooperation.
• A new structure for the delivery of lifelong learning, enabling the development of competences as a continuum through a structured career path.

THE PROJECT IS COMPOSED OF WORK PACKAGES 1-4

WORK PACKAGE 1: Administration and coordination

The project coordinator Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius leads the project in cooperation with the project managers and project designer of the partners. Work package 1 will focus on the management and coordination of the project, consisting of the formation and regular convening of the project team and steering group. These working groups will ensure the achievement of the project objectives. The project team meets monthly. As part of work package1, the project plan will be updated in spring 2026 into a EduDiamond implementation plan, defining responsibilities and implementation steps. Under the leadership of the project manager, the project team will be responsible for allocating the workload, monitoring and reporting on project objectives, preparing the required mid-term evaluations and the final report, which will be presented to the steering group. Work package 1 will provide a strong structure for the effective implementation of the project and the national accessibility of the project results.

WORK PACKAGE 2: Current state of continuous learning for teaching staff

2.1: National survey and workplace involvement

Coordinated by the University of Lapland, the work package provides a comprehensive snapshot of the continuous learning of teaching staff in Finland. The project partners are involved in the design of the data collection, regional data collection, analysis and dissemination. The work will start with a mapping of previous studies and surveys, which will be used to construct a national survey on the competence needs of teaching staff and the career path of continuous learning. The survey will be carried out with extensive use of stakeholder networks, followed by the involvement of the world of work in the co-development process. This will include nationwide distance workshops and interviews to deepen understanding of the competence needs of teaching staff. In addition, regional workshops will support cooperation between municipalities and educational institutions. All the information collected will be compiled into a national progress report, which will be used in other work packages of the project and in national development work.

2.2: Early career practices and development of a national programme

The work package, led by the University of Tampere, will map and analyse induction practices in different regions, with the aim of creating a nationally scalable induction programme for new teachers. The work package will start with surveys and interviews to collect information from teachers, mentors and school management. The collected data will be analysed and classified into key themes such as mentoring, induction and community support. Best practices will be identified and compiled into a synthesis report, which will serve as the basis for a national induction model. The induction model, to be tested in regionally selected experimentation schools, will be finalised in a later phase of the project (Work Package 4: Diamond Model) and formulated into a nationally usable package.

WORK PACKAGE 3: Market and customer analysis of continuing learning in the field of education and training

The work package, led by the University of Oulu, will map the supply of continuing education for teachers and analyse training providers, customer groups and accessibility of continuing learning in different parts of Finland. The work package will examine how changes in the funding of training affect supply and how continuing learning services reach teachers. The study makes extensive use of networks of project partners, including higher education institutions, training providers and expert organisations. It will also take into account the resources of purchasers of services, such as municipalities and educational institutions, and their impact on the accessibility of training. The report brings together the provision of continuing training, training providers and clients, and assesses the coverage and regional equity of the current system. It highlights areas for improvement and opportunities for cooperation between universities and municipalities. Once completed, the report will be presented at a national seminar for stakeholders and practitioners.

WORK PACKAGE 4: The Diamond Model for Continuous Learning in Education

Led by the University of Eastern Finland, the Diamond Model provides a recommendation for organising continuous learning in the education sector. It builds on the research and analytical knowledge produced in the previous work packages (2 and 3), strategic networks, and ongoing structural changes in the field. The Diamond Model describes ideal lifelong learning pathways that take into account the needs of teachers at different stages of their careers. These pathways support both education and training providers and the development of staff competences. The model is developed using service design methods and the expertise of regional project partners. To support the usability and accessibility of the Diamond Model, a digital implementation is developed to function as the model’s user interface. This digital solution may take the form of an AI based assistant operating in a secure university environment and using curated, reliable sources, or alternatively another web based solution such as a structured knowledge repository or guided digital platform.

IMPACT

The effectiveness of the project will be based on the development of a continuous learning model and the strengthening of networks, which will provide a comprehensive snapshot of changes in the sector in the long term. The national implementation will enable broad networking and promote equal, accessible continuous learning for teaching staff. This will support the strengthening of teachers’ expertise and professional competence nationally and internationally.