International business is crucial for many Finnish companies. In our export-driven economy, success relies on professionals who not only master technology but can also operate seamlessly across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Teppo Rinta-Filppula, Project Director at Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe (MLE), understands that such talent is rare. That’s why building new expertise is essential.
In collaboration with Academic Work, MLE developed a 12-week training program to reskill new implementation specialists. The key recruitment criteria for this technical training program included motivation, learning capabilities, language skills, and willingness to travel. Prior technical expertise was not required.
A shift from traditional recruitment methods was required
MLE is a provider of intralogistics solutions, with automated forklifts designed and manufactured in Finland serving customers worldwide. The work is technical yet deeply human-centric – implementing automated systems on-site at customer locations across various countries and time zones.
“We’ve realized that waiting around for ready-made implementation specialists just isn’t an option. That’s why we’re committed to training motivated individuals into the experts of tomorrow,” Rinta-Filppula explains.
Technical skills can be taught if the ability and desire to learn is there
This philosophy is at the heart of Academic Work’s own Academy training program: first, identify individuals with the capabilities and motivation to learn, necessary language proficiency, social skills, and willingness to travel, then provide them with the technical training required for the role.
“Technical skills can be taught. What’s harder to teach is the ability to operate in an international customer environment – things like communication, collaboration, and adaptability,” says Rinta-Filppula.
In practice, the reskilling process works so that during the 12-week Academy program, participants reach the knowledge level of a junior implementation specialist, after which they are ready to start working on customer projects.
“When we bring in several specialists at once, onboarding becomes more efficient, and a community is formed where learning happens together. This accelerates project initiation and enables growth: revenue from automation projects at MLE has doubled during our collaboration with Academic Work,” Rinta-Filppula describes.
A partnership that builds the expertise of the future
MLE and Academic Work have already completed two Academy training programs, and the collaboration continues. In addition to implementation specialists, talent has been found also for other technical roles.
“Academic Work makes bold and flexible decisions in recruitment. We have been extremely satisfied with the comprehensive service, where AW is responsible for both recruitment and training,” Rinta-Filppula summarizes.
The automation industry is growing globally, and with it, the requirements for expertise are also changing. We need technology experts, but above all, people who are open to the world, capable of collaboration, and willing to learn new things.
The expertise of the future is not born by waiting, it is built, one person at a time.