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Meaningful work and excellent opportunities for career development enticed Marja Viikki to join Patria’s vehicle factory.

Marja Viikki originally started at Patria’s vehicle factory in Hämeenlinna as an assembler through an agency. She stayed on and now works as a material coordinator, responsible for ensuring that materials and components are at the production lines at the right time and in the right place.
– I learned the tasks of an armoured vehicle assembler on the job. However, I was already familiar with military vehicles from the Armoured Brigade at Parolannummi, where I completed my voluntary national service.
– That experience sparked my interest in applying to Patria. I have a strong will to contribute to national defence, and I want my career to involve meaningful work related to it, Marja Viikki emphasizes.

No two workdays are alike

In Hämeenlinna, Patria manufactures 6x6 and AMV vehicles. Orders for both vehicle types have increased rapidly, which also keeps Marja Viikki busy. She considers the variety of her responsibilities to be one of the absolute highlights of the job. No two workdays are ever the same.
Marja Viikki says that the foundation of everything is good cooperation with all parties involved. She is in daily contact with Patria colleagues responsible for material procurement and logistics. Another side of her work involves ongoing communication with the teams manufacturing vehicles.
– If, for any reason, materials are missing from production, I try to get them to the teams as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

The role of material coordinator requires organizational skills and attention to detail to ensure smooth logistics without disruptions. The ability to work under pressure is also necessary, as the days can sometimes be hectic.
– There are many strings to keep hold of, especially now that orders for vehicles are growing rapidly. We’re also constantly getting new staff, and time is spent on inducting new employees into their roles.

In addition to her duties as an assembler and material coordinator, Viikki has also worked in the training team, which prepares technology transfers to countries that have ordered Patria vehicles. She has trained employees of a Japanese partner, who will soon start manufacturing Patria AMV XP vehicles in Japan.
– I was able to join the training team thanks to my language skills and expertise related to the AMV vehicle.”

Completing engineering studies alongside work

Marja Viikki is studying to become an industrial engineering and management engineer at a university of applied sciences alongside her work. During the day she works, and in the evenings she studies.
– My studies support my job, and vice versa. Some of the work experience I have gained at Patria is accepted as part of my degree. The employer also supports developing your own skills well.

Marja Viikki says she has found her own field in industrial production. She sees considerable opportunities for career development at Patria.
– There are always internal job applications ongoing. If something interesting comes up, I’ll definitely apply. I’m happy to seize new opportunities and challenges.

According to the most recent survey by Universum*, which measures employer images, engineering professionals ranked Patria as the third most attractive employer in Finland. The previous year, Patria was in ninth place.
– Given the recent global events, I’m not at all surprised that interest in the defence industry has grown. Personally, I wanted to make my own contribution to national defence by taking up such civilian roles.

* https://universumglobal.com/about-us/