Apprenticeship training programs are an essential entry route to jobs at UPM Timber's sawmills. Jenni Hjerppe is one of the apprentices learning a new trade. She is studying to become a sawmill process operator at UPM Kaukas Sawmill in Lappeenranta.
The apprenticeship training has given Jenni the opportunity to enter a completely new field. After high school, she studied to become an educational assistant. After ten years of working in kindergartens and schools, she felt it was time for a change. That's when she heard that the application period for apprenticeship trainings was about to start.
"The timing was perfect. It has been a successful career change for me, and I've enjoyed it," says Jenni.
Learning new skills at work
An apprenticeship is a fixed-term employment contract where the employer trains either a new employee or an existing one. Apprenticeships are a work-based way to learn a trade, get a certificate of competence, change your career, get additional training or complete your studies. An apprentice is an equal member of a work community and is paid for their work.
"Practice is the best teacher. At apprenticeship training you get a good understanding of what the job is really like. At the same time, you get a trade in a completely new field," says Jenni.
In the apprenticeship model offered by UPM Timber, students work on a variety of different tasks in the sawmill industry. At the workplace, the student is guided by a workplace supervisor, such as a supervisor or other employee. Jenni's qualification includes four skills demonstrations, which means she should learn four different tasks during her training.
"For example, I've pre-processed wood boards, and next I'll be making lumber packages. At different stages of the sawmill process, you get to study different things, and at the same time you get an impression of what is done in the different departments," says Jenni.
A good mix of practice and theory
In addition to the practical work, the apprenticeship training program includes theoretical studies. The balance between actual work and study varies from apprenticeship to apprenticeship. In Jenni's apprenticeship, the two years include 17 days of actual studying.
"An apprenticeship is a good option if you want to do more than just sit on a school bench. For me at least, learning comes best through repetition," says Jenni.
Jenni's apprenticeship training is organized in cooperation with the Jyväskylä Educational Consortium Gradia, and the lessons take place mainly at the workplace. For Jenni, the study days have been a nice change from working.
"It has been great to learn about pine's journey from the forest through the sawing process to the world. It's not the sort of thing I used to think about in my everyday life before," says Jenni.
Jenni particularly likes the independence of her job, which has been a welcomed change from the very social work of an educational assistant. Jenni enjoys her job and is happy to continue working at the sawmill even after her training is over.
"Although I am currently happy with my job at UPM Kaukas sawmill, it is nice to know that UPM offers opportunities to develop and progress in the future. You never know what the future will bring," Jenni reflects.
Photo taken by: Tiia Käyhty, UPM Fibres