Over the course of a summer, new tools can become familiar, theory can turn into practical understanding and individual tasks can begin to make sense as part of larger projects and processes. That was the experience of four students at Nordec. 

Thomas Valtonen prepared customer and supplier data for migration to Dynamics 365 and joined process development workshops in Nordec’s ERP project. In Vaasa, Vanja Hagen, Mira Forsberg and Fredrik Nordström learned Tekla Structures through a practice building before moving on to structural models and drawings for project work. 

“Working with Tekla now feels natural. I have also gained a good understanding of how larger projects progress, particularly from a structural design perspective,” Fredrik says. 

For Thomas, the work showed how business processes, people and systems come together. Visits to the Peräseinäjoki production unit and Prague sales office added further context. 

“My studies had already introduced me to the idea that ERP projects are not only technical projects. During the summer, I saw in practice how business needs, processes, people and systems have to be brought together,” he says. 

For the design trainees, the summer connected theory with project work. A previous visit to Peräseinäjoki, where Vanja saw steel structures being produced, had encouraged her to seek a summer position at Nordec. 

“I have gained valuable practical experience and a better understanding of how the things we learn at school are applied in practice. Even though I have worked here all summer, I still learn new things every day,” Vanja says. 

Everyday discussions gave the trainees room to work independently and seek guidance. Mira found that questions and different views were welcomed regardless of experience. 

“I have never felt that my questions were stupid. People are listened to whether they have worked here for decades or only a few years. That means even a summer trainee feels able to question things or ask questions.”

All four finished the summer with stronger practical skills, a broader understanding of Nordec’s work and the confidence to contribute their own questions and views.