“Ten over ten. Thoughtfully put together. Got to know a lot. And also the city’s commitment to keep talents in the region. Eye-opening.”
“Actually, the trip was a great experience for us. Because, it helped a lot to break the monotony and also we were able to understand how the production process in a company goes on.”
In May 2024, students and teachers from Karelia University of Applied Sciences’ engineering degree programmes participated in an educational excursion to Lieksa. This experience, described by many students as eye-opening, allowed them to see manufacturing processes firsthand, thereby enhancing their understanding of the theoretical aspects of their studies. Additionally, visiting factories outside the Joensuu area provided valuable insights into North-Karelian industrial practices and work culture.
The excursion, organized in collaboration with Lieksan Kehitys LieKe Oy, included visits to two prominent companies in the region. This one-day trip offered students a comprehensive view of the industrial opportunities available in North Karelia, broadening their understanding of the region’s economic landscape and manufacturing processes. It also potentially sparked interest in pursuing careers within the region.
Lieksan Kehitys LieKe Oy, a regional business development company owned by the City of Lieksa, played a crucial role in this excursion. The event exemplified LieKe’s efforts to enhance the business environment for local companies and support workforce availability. Additionally, LieKe provides expert services in business establishment, financing, development, and internationalization within the region.
From Joensuu to Lieksa
A bus full of students from the English-taught Degree Programmes in Industrial Management and Information and Communication Technology, along with students from the Finnish-taught programmes in Environmental Technology and Mechanical Engineering, embarked on the excursion day from the Wärtsilä campus. Accompanied by eight teachers and staff members from Karelia UAS, the trip to Lieksa was both enjoyable and informative. Local guide Arto Turpeinen shared the town’s history and development in fluent English, making the journey engaging and educational for the international participants.
Upon arriving in Lieksa, the group enjoyed refreshments at the Hurtan Holvi restaurant, courtesy of LieKe Oy. The excursion group was then divided into two for the factory visits. They visited Binderholz Nordic Ltd, located just a few kilometers from the city center, and the Pankaboard factory, about seven kilometers from the center of Lieksa. Both groups had the opportunity to visit both companies.
Binderholz Nordic Ltd – a Leading Operator in the European Wood Industry
At Binderholz, Managing Director Joonas Vitri provided an overview of the company’s operations and historical background. As one of the leading operators in the European wood industry, Binderholz employs approximately 5,000 people across its family-owned sites. In addition to its original headquarters and four other locations in Austria, the company operates in Finland, Germany, Latvia, the UK, and the USA.
Binderholz’ solid wood product range includes lumber, profiled timber, single- and multi-ply laminated solid wood panels and glulam. In addition to sawing and timber constructions products, Binderholz also produces customized food packaging solutions. Waste wood from production is efficiently utilized and processed into densified biofuels and green electricity, such as pressboard pellets and pressed planning chips.
Pankaboard – a Leading Supplier of Specialty Paperboards
Arto Pekkarinen, VP of Supply Chain and Customer Service, introduced Pankaboard and its operations. Pankaboard is a leading supplier of specialty paperboards, exporting products to more than 60 countries across all continents. They manufacture high-quality paperboards for packaging, graphic and industrial applications, and food service products. Environmentally friendly production processes are a priority for Pankaboard; by-products from the sawing process are recycled, enabling climate-neutral production without excess waste.
The groups were also given the opportunity to visit the factory, with Operations Manager Olli Rovio leading the tour. This hands-on experience received positive feedback and praise from the students, sparking numerous questions about working hours, shifts, factory operations, and various responsibilities. The tour also helped students understand the potential job opportunities that companies like Pankaboard could offer in the future.
10 points to Lieksa
Following the company visits, the excursion groups were treated to a lunch featuring round table discussions. Present at the lunch were Pankaboard’s Arto Pekkarinen and CEO Pasi Piiparinen. The discussions were lively and provided a new experience for many of the international students, who were not accustomed to Finland’s low hierarchical structure. Sharing a meal and engaging in conversation with the CEO at the same table exemplified Finnish leadership culture.
The students’ feedback on the excursion was very positive, and they expressed a desire for similar visits in the future. The trip provided an opportunity to learn more about regional companies, network, and gain valuable information for their future careers. The students rated the excursion a perfect 10 points and recommended similar trips to other cities for further professional growth and experience. They were impressed by Lieksa’s commitment to attracting and retaining talent, and the trip opened their eyes to new opportunities.
Finally, the excursion was highly beneficial for us teachers as well. Learning about the latest technologies and industry trends helps us stay updated and improve our own knowledge and skills in the field of engineering. This firsthand experience also enhances our ability to provide relevant and up-to-date education to our students, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future careers.
Text:
Liisa Sandvall, Lecturer, Karelia UAS
Heidi Vartiainen, Lecturer, Karelia UAS