For HR Manager Elina Salo, Olkiluoto is located in exactly the right region
The HR Manager of TVO Group, Ms. Elina Salo, has just about half year behind her as an employee in Olkiluoto, but in the field of HR management her expertise is based on more than a decade's experience. Ms. Salo, who introduces herself as a through and through Pori resident, returned in the region of Satakunta in 2019, after spending over 15 years in Helsinki. Her first impression of Olkiluoto has been highly favourable.
Elina transferred to TVO from the manufacturing industry. The last four years she worked as Director of HR and Communications for Norilsk Nickel. Her career history includes also other familiar large-scale companies, such as Nordea, Mehiläinen and Oriola. However, her longest stint with one employer, nine years, was with ABB in technology industry. Ms. Salo's career path with ABB was a progressive one, starting in the recruitment processes and advancing to a position where she was responsible for HR development for the whole of ABB Finland.
- I really do consider that my personal university in HR, she says.
A returning expat
By education, Elina Salo is a MSc in Psychology. She graduated from the University of Turku, and is currently pursuing further studies in organisational and work psychology at Tampere University. She expects to conclude these further studies in the autumn of 2024.
According to Ms. Salo, the Covid period served as a catalyst to go for the special degree.
- I have taken quite a lot of advanced studies related to managerial work and legal subjects while working at the same time, but I considered the time to be right to also update my knowledge in the field that I know the best, she explains.
Originally from Satakunta, Elina Salo was offered the opportunity to move back to her old home ground just over four years ago.
- Most of my family lives here in Pori, so it was quite clear to me that I would apply as soon as an interesting HR post came up, Ms. Salo says referring to her former job.
A warm welcome
Elina Salo's first day working in Olkiluoto was in March. The first impression has been highly favourable.
- We have a good and terribly closeknit team here and they have received me very openly. It also became obvious quite quickly that the atmosphere is one of encouragement, looking to help everybody succeed in what they are doing, Elina points out.
Her observations of the day-to-day work have also been positive.
- I have found that everything is well taken care of in the organisation and the prevailing culture is characterised by continuous development. It has been great to realise that here we really live according to the philosophy of constant improvement.
Her own position as the HR Manager for TVO Group is also strongly associated with the upkeep and development of working conditions for other people.
- It is my job to make sure that our Competence Centre, and through that, the entire personnel, have the possibility to not only work to the best of their ability but also have their wellbeing ensured.
With Teollisuuden Voima located in Satakunta, Elina Salo was familiar with it already before joining the company. She also appreciates the great significance of the work carried out in Olkiluoto.
- We are an important Finnish company playing a major role in building the future of Finland. The energy we produce allows the environmentally friendly and safe development of the society.
Text: Ville Kulmala
Images: Tapani Karjanlahti and Elina Salo´s archive
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