Ten years ago, Matti Kaartinen and Tuure Laurila both started as operators in Nevel’s remote operations centre; they have been colleagues ever since. Nevel’s value of “Anything can be improved” is exemplified in the pair, who work hard to keep things getting better all the time. Matti is still working as an operator, a job in which he excels, and Tuure has spent the last five years as Operation Centre Manager. We sat down with Matti and Tuure to find out how things have improved in their decade with Nevel – and what’s on the cards for the future.
What do you enjoy most about working at Nevel?
Tuure: The best thing about working at Nevel is that I have good colleagues and a good work environment. We have a strong team and can discuss things openly with each other – this helps us to continually improve. I feel trusted to do the things I need to do and likewise I trust my colleagues in return.
Matti: I find my work very interesting and I like the fact it changes all the time. We monitor and operate 30 sites across the whole of Finland, including district heating plants, industrial plants and a biogas plant. I like the variety – every day there are new problems to solve.
What does a typical workday look like?
Tuure: My workday typically begins with reading news from the operation centre and reviewing the general production situation. Most of my workdays involve monitoring ongoing projects and projects that are in development to make sure everything works as smoothly as possible.
Matti: We work two day shifts followed by two nights and then six days off. There’s usually one operator on the shift at a time, with five regular operators working in rotation. I start by catching up with the previous operator about what happened during their shift and check through the log book to see what’s happening on the production sites. During the shift I check everything is okay in the sites and monitor alarms and electricity production forecasts.
How have things changed and improved during your time at Nevel?
Tuure: I have been involved in developing the remote operations centre since it was established and it’s been very rewarding. My experience as an operator helped me see the opportunities and challenges of the remote operations centre concept, which I have since used to influence my work as a manager. I’ve helped make our work processes more organised and systematic, and helped add value to our production sites.
Matti: As an operator I feel that I am listened to when I have suggestions or concerns, and supervisors have improved the ergonomics and changed equipment and techniques based on our opinions. With the new remote operations centre we asked for a centralised alarm system, which we now have. The system makes it easier to monitor and operate the sites from one place rather than needing to jump between screens. Even the air conditioning has been improved based on our wishes.
You mentioned the new remote operations centre, how was the move for you both?
Tuure: Moving the operations centre was a great success! We were able to plan and implement the new remote operations centre during the winter heating season so that there was no interruption to production; the operators just came to the new address on their next shift. We also updated the technology we used – and even kept the whole project under budget!
Matti: The new operations centre is very nice to work in, with more space than before. It makes our jobs a lot easier and more comfortable. The whole team has been very satisfied with the new work environment and well-being has improved. It’s great having a purpose-built space.
What opportunities are there at Nevel to grow and develop your career?
Tuure: I started at Nevel as an operator and was supported and encouraged to take the next step in my career, becoming a manager five years ago. The energy market is changing rapidly in terms of electricity production and the electrification of production. I have been able to play a key role in supporting this change, building reserve market opportunities and optimising production. There is a lot to learn and a chance to grow my own expertise – I’m excited about the opportunity!
Matti: There are plenty of opportunities to grow and develop at Nevel – even without changing roles. I am happy with my role and I’m good at it. Nevel is a good place to work because you can talk about what you need at any time, not just in yearly development discussions, so you can make sure you have a position you’re really happy in.
In what ways would you like to grow and develop next – both inside and outside work?
Tuure: I would like to learn to be more systematic and demanding in my supervisory work – friendly leadership is not always enough. I would like to develop the team’s overall work, as well as their individual growth, and in doing so provide an interesting and demanding workplace. I consider my biggest achievement to be that I have kept all our employees happily in the company – the only turnover has been through additional recruitment.
Matti: I would like to do more sports and improve my abilities there – I enjoy cycling, swimming and trail running for example. I have two little children and they are my most important focus right now, so I’m taking time watching them grow. There are plenty of learning and development opportunities when you’re a father.
What inspires you?
Tuure: I am inspired by the fact that I feel like I am succeeding in my career and achieving the goals I have set for myself. The harder the journey, the better the feeling when you achieve it!
Matti: At work I’m inspired by learning new things – we have a lot of new sites and there are a lot of new things to learn about processes. At home I’m inspired to see my children grow and learn new things.
How do you wind down after work?
Tuure: I relax by doing sports and listening to audiobooks. I also like to go fishing. I love being out and about in the northern nature – the north is my soul’s landscape.
Matti: In winter I relax by shovelling snow – yesterday I did it twice! Then I like to go to sauna, or light the fire and have a hot drink.
If you could improve anything about the world what would it be?
Tuure: If there’s one thing I wish I could improve in the world it would be to give my children and family a safe and encouraging home and a place where it is good to be.
Matti: Right now, if I could improve anything about the world it would be to make our planet a more peaceful place. I wish for that for everyone.
At Nevel, we hire skilled and ambitious people and give them room to develop, take responsibility and improve things. Find our open positions at https://jobs.nevel.com/
