Automation assembler

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as an automation assembler in the technology sector. I work in industrial manufacturing, where I assemble control centres used in automation, for example.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I used to work in another field. Then I felt I needed to change to a completely different profession. I wanted to do something with my hands. I browsed the training options provided by the Adult Education Centre and ended up applying for electric and automation assembler training. The programme sought primarily people with no basic training in the field. I was admitted to the training.

Describe your typical working day or week.

My work is project-based. One project may last a day, another one for two weeks. A typical working day may include, for example, the assembly of a control centre used in automation. It starts with getting acquainted with the instructions and collecting the necessary components. The components are then attached to the mounting plate and wired together. Sometimes there are changes in the assembly phase, which I discuss with the design team. The supervisors always provide assistance if necessary.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

The place I work in is a factory hall. At work, I wear different work clothes according to the tasks at hand. I always wear safety shoes and work trousers. When doing metal assembly, I also wear incision gloves, hearing protectors and safety goggles.

I work on weekdays during office hours. The working day begins between 6 and 9 a.m. If I want, I can work longer hours early in the week, so that on Friday I can leave earlier to start my weekend. The working hours at our company are very flexible, which is a great benefit for someone with a family.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

The work requires accuracy and interest in working with your hands. Once you have received your project instructions, you self-direct your work.

What is the best thing about your profession?

I like the fact that I can work with my hands. I also like it that I don’t need to plan what is being assembled, but I get ready-made instructions for that. In my workplace, I appreciate the flexible working hours and the fact that I have a clean indoor job carried out during office hours. I like working in such a way that my projects change frequently. That keeps the work interesting.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

In recent years, component shortage has been a global problem. If there are no parts available, then we cannot assemble anything, and it frustrates me. This year, the situation has varied. Sometimes there have been enough components, but at other times the situation has been more challenging.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of automation assembler?

I recommend this job to anyone who wants to work independently and do something other than sit by the computer. For me, changing careers in my adult age went smoothly. I found a job immediately after my work placement.

How do you see the future of your profession?

I believe that there will be plenty of work in this sector, so it is worthwhile to train to this profession. The need and use of automation keeps on increasing. *Read what Hannu Mettanen’s work as an automation assembler is like.

Photo: Katja Lehtinen