Team supervisor Erkki Pulkkinen - inspired by challenges and problem-solving
Erkki Pulkkinen is coming up to retirement after a 16-year career at Teollisuuden Voima. After transferring the work and responsibilities to his successor, he will retire from the Engineering organisation at the end of June.
While studying in Oulu, Mr. Pulkkinen wrote his dissertation on ice mechanics, modelling the use of ice as a material. The work was driven by growing demand, as research in ice mechanics was sought after due to the high oil price in the 80s. Governments with sea areas in Arctic regions were interested in oil drilling in the area. An extensive study on the topic was started at the University of Oulu.
– However, in 1976, oil price plummeted, reducing the interest in Arctic areas, so I had to rethink my career. At the time, TVO was looking for an expert specialising in strength, and since my knowledge on ice could be applied to metal as well, I decided to apply for the position.
Sometimes you need to leave so you can return
Mr. Pulkkinen first came to TVO in 1987 but, in the early 90s he left and took a position at Ahlström as a strength specialist making pulp mill machinery. He worked as a development director at Ahlström for 14 years. In 2004, his career path wound back to Olkiluoto where interesting things were happening, and he joined the OL3 project as a strength specialist.
– I led equipment and materials teams until 2014. After that, I worked for Fennovoima for four years and returned to Olkiluoto in 2017. By the time of my retirement, I will have worked for more than 16 years at TVO.
– Olkiluoto is made attractive by what the job entails – rather than just managing a project you are strongly involved in the development, including the continuous development of equipment and doing things independently. 2004 marked the start of the OL3 project: the work days were diverse, and we got to build something in our area of expertise from the ground up, including requirement specifications.
There’s no place like Olkiluoto
– I had an option to take the position of Senior Assistant in Helsinki University of Technology, but I had no interest in living in the Capital Region.
– TVO is a great place to work. The company trusts its experts, which makes working easy in that sense. When you do your work diligently and justify your decisions, you will have the organisation’s support.
(Text and image: Natalie Kylliäinen)