Urgent need for switchgear installers in Mustasaari leads to rare job offer and flood of applicants

A rapid expansion in Vaasa’s energy sector has forced subcontractor Escarmat to move quickly, leading the control panel manufacturer to offer permanent positions with on-the-job training to fill the gap.

The company, which produces electrical, automation, and control panels in Mustasaari and Vaasa, posted an unusual job advertisement in February: no prior electrical training or experience was required. Escarmat pledged to train applicants itself and provide permanent employment after a two-month orientation period.

The response was overwhelming. Within two weeks, the company received 350 applications. One of the new hires was Leena Korpinen, a former practical nurse from Maalahti who had considered switching careers. Korpinen, who had previously done restoration work in her free time, saw the opportunity as a perfect fit.

“I just got the feeling that this is where I want to work,” she said.

Korpinen described the career change as a positive shift, noting that leaving shift work in healthcare has given her more time with her three young children and significantly improved her daily stamina.

Enni Yli-Hynnilä, Escarmat’s communications manager, admitted the volume of applications came as a surprise. The company arranged individual, accelerated training programs for the new employees.

Managing Director Kari Olkinuora called the recruitment drive a success and expressed confidence that even those not immediately hired may find opportunities later. Despite the rapid hiring, he assured that layoffs due to economic fluctuations are not a concern.

“In the company’s over 30-year history, there has never been a layoff, and no one has been dismissed due to workload,” he said, though he acknowledged that global uncertainty makes long-term predictions difficult.

After the initial training, employees have the option to pursue further qualifications. Escarmat has a long-standing partnership with vocational college Vamia, allowing workers to study for formal certifications, such as through apprenticeship agreements.

Korpinen plans to continue her education via an apprenticeship. “That’s something I was interested in before, and I still am. It’s good that the opportunity exists,” she said.

Mikko Kinnunen, an education policy expert at the Finnish Enterprise Federation, praised Escarmat’s model as a welcome solution, particularly as government cuts to adult education support have made career transitions harder. He noted that company-led precision training could become increasingly vital as traditional adult education funding dwindles.

“When large investments come to a region, the demand for skilled workers is immediate and massive. It’s great that there’s also the possibility to complete further qualifications or even a full degree. Apprenticeships work very well in this context,” Kinnunen said.