Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof) is launching a three-year partnership with JA Finland’s Yrityskylä Central Finland Through Vety Oy, a miniature company developed as part of the collaboration, sixth-grade pupils will have the opportunity to learn about hydrogen production, its potential applications and different jobs in the hydrogen sector. Through this partnership, Cefmof aims to support children’s development of working life skills and inspire interest in the hydrogen sector, as well as current and future technologies and careers.
As part of the partnership, a miniature company called Vety Oy has been developed to introduce pupils to the potential of hydrogen as part of future energy solutions.
“We want to give children opportunities to learn, experiment and explore new technologies. By bringing real-world hydrogen initiatives pursued by Cefmof and its subsidiary, Cefmof Hydrogen, into a hands-on learning environment, we hope to inspire the next generation and help them understand how hydrogen technologies are being introduced into society. Yrityskylä is an excellent way to make these topics accessible to children while supporting the development of their working life skills,” says Haruka Arai, Executive Director of Cefmof.
Exploring hydrogen production and use at Vety Oy
At Vety Oy, pupils can explore the entire hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to refuelling and practical applications, including hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Vety Oy learning environment includes a functioning small-scale electrolyser that demonstrates how hydrogen can be produced from water using electricity. The miniature company also features a simulated hydrogen refuelling point and hydrogen cylinders illustrating hydrogen storage.
In the learning environment, pupils take on different roles that allow them to explore hydrogen production, storage, distribution and use. They also practise managing a company, planning technical solutions and collaborating with other organisations in Yrityskylä.
Vety Oy requires people with a variety of skills. Pupils can work in roles such as CEO, hydrogen plant manager or hydrogen engineer. Throughout the day, they also practise decision-making, problem-solving and communication skills. Collaboration with other organisations in Yrityskylä also plays an important role.
“Hydrogen may seem like a complex topic, but its basic principles can also be explored through experimentation and hands-on activities. We want to give children the opportunity to discover for themselves how hydrogen can be produced and used, and why developing new solutions requires research, creativity and collaboration. The most important thing is not to learn everything about hydrogen, but to spark curiosity and encourage children to experiment and experience things for themselves,” says Netta Hongisto, Program Manager at Cefmof.
Yrityskylä brings working life closer to schoolchildren
Yrityskylä is a curriculum-based learning programme organised by JA Finland, introducing sixth-grade pupils to working life, economics, entrepreneurship and how society functions. Pupils prepare for their Yrityskylä day at school before working in a miniature city. During the day, they take on different professions, carry out work assignments and earn a salary.
The Yrityskylä Central Finland learning environment is located in Jyväskylä. During the 2026–2027 school year, approximately 3,060 sixth-grade pupils from across Central Finland will participate in the Yrityskylä Primary School programme.
Yrityskylä operates through collaboration with companies and other organisations in society. Through these partnerships, pupils can explore different industries and professions while developing skills needed in working life.
“We are delighted to welcome an organisation like Cefmof to Yrityskylä, bringing new content and perspectives on the future of working life to the learning environment. Hydrogen and related technologies may not be familiar to children, but at Vety Oy, scientific concepts come to life in a fun and hands-on way. At the same time, pupils can see the wide range of skills and collaboration required to develop new solutions,” says Selma Närkki, Specialist at Yrityskylä Central Finland.
