LAITEX ACADEMY | ASSEMBLY TRAINEE | CAREER JOURNEY & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Learning by doing: Silja Pulkkinen starts her journey at Laitex
Silja Pulkkinen has started her career at Laitex as an Assembly Trainee through Laitex Academy. For her, assembly work is not only a summer job or a first step into the industrial field. Silja builds practical understanding of Laitex equipment by assembling it, learning how it works, and connecting that experience to her mechanical engineering studies.
“The better I understand the machines from the inside, the easier it will be to grow into new roles later on.” Silja Pulkkinen, Assembly Trainee
Silja first heard about Laitex from a family friend. Later, she met Laitex at LUT’s Duuniday event, where conversations with Laitex employees gave her a clear and positive impression of the company.
“The conversations made me feel confident about applying, especially after hearing about the academy path and the chance to develop inside the company,” Silja says.
From interest in machines to mechanical engineering
Silja has been interested in machines and equipment since she was young, but her path to the industrial field was not always obvious.
Earlier, she thought that the field might not be the right fit for her because she did not have a strong hands-on background with machines. After high school, she worked in several demanding roles, including as a supervisor during the winter season in Lapland, as a private chef in VIP cabins, and in the cruise and passenger ship industry.
Those experiences helped her build confidence.
“Succeeding in these jobs without prior experience made me realize that I can learn anything I set my mind to,” Silja says.
That realization encouraged her to apply to study mechanical engineering at LAB University of Applied Sciences in Lappeenranta. She is currently in her first year of studies.
Learning by doing in assembly
Silja wanted to find a company where she could start gaining practical experience already at the beginning of her studies. Laitex Academy offered exactly that opportunity.
“I wanted the work to support my learning and my studies to support my work from the start,” she says.
As an Assembly Trainee, Silja’s workdays start with a morning meeting together with assembly workers, warehouse staff, and the supervisor. After that, she works with different types of Laitex equipment, such as rotary feeders, slide gates, and screw conveyors. Some assemblies take several days to complete, while others move forward faster.
The work has helped her build practical skills with tools, drawings, tolerances, measuring equipment, and assembly methods. Most importantly, it has helped her understand Laitex’s own equipment in practice.
“The most important skill I’ve gained is a deeper understanding of Laitex’s own equipment and how the machines function,” Silja says.
Growing confidence step by step
For Silja, one of the most rewarding parts of the trainee journey has been seeing her own progress.
“The most rewarding part has been learning to assemble the equipment independently and seeing my own progress in the work,” she says.
She also feels that working independently has helped her grow professionally. Experienced colleagues are always available to help, but having the opportunity to think through assemblies herself has been important.
“I believe I develop the most when I need to think through the assembly myself and test how the machine functions,” Silja says.
The support from colleagues has played a key role in her learning. In the beginning, Silja worked on her first assemblies together with different coworkers, each with their own way of working. This gave her the opportunity to learn different methods, approaches, and practical tips.
“I felt welcome from the very first day, and everyone has been open and willing to teach and help me without any hesitation,” she says.
A clear path, with room to grow
Silja’s next goal is to succeed in her studies and graduate within the next three years. In the future, she hopes to move into design work at Laitex.
At the same time, she wants to keep an open mind.
“I’m excited that my career can still develop in many different directions, and I haven’t set a strict end goal yet,” Silja says. “I want to stay open to learning and growing, and see where that path leads me.”
For students and young professionals considering Laitex Career Journey, Silja’s message is clear.
“Getting hands-on experience alongside your studies gives you an incredible opportunity to learn and grow. At Laitex you get to apply what you learn in school, understand how the machines and processes work in real life, and develop skills that you simply can’t gain in the classroom.”
Welcome to Laitex, Silja. We are glad to have you with us.
At Laitex, potential is noticed & it’s built into a career, because
FLOW MUST GO ON!
