Building automation technician
"Automation technicians must be patient, accurate and willing to learn new things. They will not be able to perform all work task perfectly at the beginning. Although I have worked in the field for five years, I still have to learn something new almost every week."
- Sami Pitkänen
- Building automation technician at Are Oy.
- Vocational Qualification in Electrical Engineering and Automation Technology at Stadin AO, the Helsinki Vocational School.
- Seven years of work experience in the field.
Briefly explain what you do for a living.
I work as a building automation technician. I install and adjust ventilation, heating, cooling and lighting systems at properties owned by business customers. I ensure that they function correctly and in an energy-efficient manner.
How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?
When I studied electrical engineering in a vocational school, I was also able to familiarise myself with the basics of automation. I was interested in the topic because the tasks related to automation seemed versatile and challenging enough. After graduating, I worked as a pumping station technician for a while until Are Oy hired me as an electrician. After that, I became an automation technician within the same company.
Describe your typical working day or week.
When I arrive at work in the morning, I check the to-do list for the day in the real estate management program used by our company and plan out the order in which I will take on the tasks. At the moment, I mainly work for one of our largest business customers at a property where I perform automation installation. For example, today I checked a ventilation unit whose pressure reading was incorrectly displaying a zero. I located the fault and found that the lines had been connected incorrectly.
What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?
The work environment varies; it can be an office or a warehouse.
I work between 7:00 and 15:30 on weekdays. It is also possible to work overtime.
What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?
Automation technicians must be patient, accurate and willing to learn new things. They will not be able to perform all work task perfectly at the beginning. Although I have worked in the field for five years, I still have to learn something new almost every week. Patience is also needed, as solving the most challenging problems takes time.
What is the best thing about your profession?
The best thing about my profession is independence, because I get to work at my own pace. It is also versatile and varied.
What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?
The hardest part is when it seems that solving the problem is impossible. Some customers also use old systems that they do not want to replace for one reason or another. It is frustrating, because old equipment simply cannot be made to work as reliably as new equipment.
What would you tell a person considering the profession of a building automation technician?
Automation technicians usually do practical installation work at the beginning of their careers. The work is physically demanding and carried out at different sites. Once you have accumulated enough experience, you can move on to tasks where you program and adjust systems on a computer.
How do you see the future of your profession?
The future looks good. Customers will definitely invest in improving energy efficiency in the future as well, and that is the most important task of automation technicians.