Four Finnish avionics assemblers land jobs in Germany straight after graduation

Four newly graduated avionics assemblers from Finland’s Tredu vocational school will begin work at a Safran plant in southern Germany in July, according to a report by Yle.

The group—Elias Kirjavainen, Leevi Lehto, Nea Soininen, and Joe Kivimäki—completed a three-year programme that Tredu says is the only one of its kind in the country. Demand for skilled aviation workers is high across Europe, and the graduates credit the programme’s rigorous standards and hands-on training for their immediate employment.

Kirjavainen and Lehto both gained international experience during their studies, completing internships in Austria and Switzerland respectively. They note that Finnish craftsmanship and education are well regarded in the field, even though Finland is a relatively small player in aviation.

Instructor Kalle Nieminen says the curriculum meets strict European Aviation Safety Agency requirements, ensuring that both facilities and teaching materials align with industry standards. He adds that Finnish professionals’ skills and training are respected internationally.

While Finland’s vocational education has faced criticism in recent years, with reports of declining student competence due to budget cuts, Tredu’s aviation programme appears to buck the trend. According to the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (VATT), more than two-thirds of vocational graduates find employment within six months.