An age-old way of learning a craft, in Finland apprenticeship remains a valued and viable method that combines paid work experience with curricular vocational studies. And the results are excellent – for employer and apprentice alike. ATA Gears has been active in the apprenticeship field for many years, as our masters, our Gear Doctors, have trained several new machinists and other professionals for working life.
Familiarizing trainees from educational institutions at ATA Gears does not differ from the reception of other new employees: the process relies heavily on colleagues; at the beginning the regular staff explain and provide the appropriate guidance in safety matters, and that includes lifting – gears in particular. Apprentices, however, always have an assigned mentor to oversee the thoroughness of their introduction to the company in general, and to the relevant processes in addition to safety matters. Apprentices always get to try out different parts of the total process, so they can find their own niche in the future.
Foreman Lassi Rannisto with Apprentice Elias Raudaskoski making sure bevel gears leave to the customer nice and safe.
Apprenticeships usually last for one year, and the first six months is the official orientation period. The records show that most apprentices are generally keen to continue at ATA Gears if the opportunity arises. So, an apprenticeship is a great way for a student to get a foot in the door of a workplace and also to gain vital work experience for their CV. These opportunities are not confined to the production department – they are available in all functions, for example in HR and marketing.
ATA Gears is determined to continue its cooperation with the educational institutions. And the communication works two ways: ATA Gears’ Production Director Marko Nummi informs the educational institutions about vacancies and the teachers pass the information on to their students. ATA Gears also attends the info days organized by the educational institutions as well as the ‘job fairs’ held in many Finnish cities.