When a summer employee steps into the factory, the whole Wipak learns

For many young professionals, a summer job is the first real step into working life. At Wipak Oy, it can also be the first step into the world of manufacturing: a world of skilled colleagues, precise processes, strong safety culture, and unexpected career opportunities. Vilma Koskelo and Jesse Hag share how their summers at Wipak have shaped the way they see factory work and their own future paths.

“Big machines and the factory environment have always fascinated me a lot.”

You can hear the excitement in the voice of Vilma Koskelo, dressed in her orange work jacket. Vilma, who is working her first summer as a laminating machine operator, decided to follow her curiosity towards factory work and applied for a summer job at Wipak after hearing about the opportunity at a DuuniExpo event.

“I have always wondered what it is really like to work in a factory, and through the event organised by my school, it felt like a great opportunity to see everyday factory life,” says Vilma, who is studying business administration at LAB University of Applied Sciences.

Vilma is not the only one. At Wipak Oy, summer employees are an essential part of a successful summer: their work makes it possible to keep production running and support functions moving forward while permanent employees enjoy their well-deserved summer holidays in turns.

“Summer employees are vital to us. Most of them work in production and logistics roles in Nastola and Valkeakoski, but we also have summer employees in substitute roles for production team supervisors, shift supervision, laboratory and other quality-related tasks, as well as in transport planning, purchasing, and other support functions,” says Teija Ikäheimonen, HR Manager at Wipak Oy.

Wipak Oy has had a long tradition of summer employment for many years, and the experience is developed further year after year. The goal is to make the summer as smooth as possible, both in terms of onboarding and the actual work tasks.

“Most of the feedback we receive is positive. Wipak is seen as an encouraging workplace where it is safe to work and learn new things. The fact that many people return to us for summer jobs in the following years also tells us that they have enjoyed their time here,” Teija says with a smile.

Four summers in different roles

For many, a summer job can be a first real introduction to industry – and at the same time, the beginning of a longer career path. Jesse Hag, who works as a team supervisor in the printing and laminating department, is a great example of this.

“I first joined Wipak around three years ago for my higher education internship. Back then, I started in the cleanroom as a pouch machine operator, and during the following summers I moved into supervisory trainee roles in slitting. This summer, I’m once again learning something new,” Jesse says.

Now spending his fourth summer at Wipak, Jesse’s working days include meetings with production and different stakeholders, organising work, and solving everyday challenges together with the team. His role also includes handling quality deviations and ensuring continuity in production, for example through shift arrangements.

“Many things that may seem simple at first only become clearer through practical experience. The work in the printing and laminating department is much more demanding than it might look from the outside,” Jesse points out.

Supervisory roles are a good example of how a career path can develop even during summer jobs. Neither Jesse nor Vilma had previous experience of factory work before joining Wipak.

“The best basis for a successful summer is a positive attitude and eagerness to learn new things. In many production roles, few people have similar previous experience, so motivation and interest are key,” Teija emphasises.

A supportive work community makes learning easier

This year, Wipak has invested especially strongly in onboarding, and based on feedback from previous years, a so-called pre-onboarding process was introduced.

“With pre-onboarding, new employees can get to know Wipak, our values, the site, and important practical matters related to the first days already before their employment begins,” Teija explains and continues:

“From the first working day onwards, onboarding continues with the site practices, the employee’s own role, and safe ways of working. We also organise joint onboarding days for all summer employees, covering HR topics, safety, and quality.”

The summer employees also feel that the approach works.

“Both my supervisors and teammates included me from the very beginning. I got to start with practical tasks already on my first day, which made the work more concrete and the onboarding genuinely smooth,” Vilma says.

“Working with colleagues has helped me see what everyday leadership in production really means. You learn a lot from those situations,” Jesse adds.

Alongside comprehensive onboarding, feedback from summer employees also shows that the work atmosphere is something people value. Vilma enthusiastically shares a small moment from the printing and laminating department. A product development engineer visiting the department had noticed a safety case for a knife used by a production employee and mentioned how useful it would also be in his own work. A moment later, a colleague brought him a similar case – without being asked.

A small gesture, but a big message.

“Here, I have been able to be myself. In my own shift, I don’t need to stress – we can joke around and learn in a relaxed atmosphere. My colleagues are great people and true professionals in their work,” Vilma says happily.

A summer job can change how you see an entire industry

When Vilma came to Wipak, she wanted to see what industrial work is really like. During the summer, her impression has changed a lot.

“Before, I had thought about companies such as Saarioinen and Hartwall and wondered what kind of work is done there. But this is a world of its own. There are so many different functions here that I had never even thought about before.”

One concrete realisation has been how many things made at Wipak can be seen in everyday life. Many of the packages seen during the working day later end up on store shelves, waiting for consumers.

Jesse also sees industry as a broader and more versatile career environment than before.

“My experience has changed my view of industry in a positive way. The work is much more varied and demanding than I expected, and there are many opportunities to develop in different roles.”

A summer job is therefore not just a work period of a few months. As Jesse’s story shows, at its best, it can be a window into an industry where skills grow through practice, onboarding, and the support of colleagues. For Wipak, it is also an important part of building its employer image.

But what about Vilma – has the world of industry won her over?

“I would absolutely like to come back next summer.”

And that may say more about a successful summer job experience than any single piece of feedback: when the first days are exciting, the amount of new information is tiring, and yet someone goes home looking forward to the next shift, the factory has done more than simply onboard a new employee.

It has offered a place where you can learn, ask questions, succeed, and realise that you are part of something bigger.