Helsinki Shipyard needs a large number of new employees for its icebreaker orders and shipbuilding projects. The City of Helsinki wants to play a part in ensuring that the right talent can be found. The training collaboration enables the shipyard to recruit staff whose skills directly match the employer’s needs.
The City of Helsinki and Helsinki Shipyard signed a cooperation agreement in October 2025.
The RekryKoulutus recruitment training courses that concluded this summer were a great success. Each of the 12 people who took the pipe fitter training course were offered a job at the shipyard. The results of the hull welder and sheet metal worker training courses were also good. The shipyard hired all 15 people who completed the training.
“The results show that close collaboration between employers, training providers and Employment Services is paying off and helps with meeting the talent needs of businesses,” says Team Manager Bafrin Eskandari from Helsinki Employment Services.
The RekryKoulutus training programme for unemployed jobseekers is one of the most effective ways to find employment, as an employer is always involved in the training provided.
Helsinki Employment Services is responsible for the administration of the training programme and communication with jobseekers. Students are selected in collaboration with Helsinki Shipyard. Helsinki Vocational College is responsible for the training. Participants carry out their practical training at the shipyard.
According to HR Business Partner Lotta Eklund from Helsinki Shipyard, the collaboration has been of significant help with recruitment processes. The collaboration has been flexible, and the wishes and needs of the employer have been listened to.
“This has proved to be an effective solution for the shipyard, as we have been able to tailor the training courses to the shipyard’s specific needs, enabling us to recruit suitable staff particularly for shipbuilding duties,” emphasises HR Business Partner Lotta Eklund from Helsinki Shipyard.
Helsinki Shipyard is also pleased with its new talent.
“We have received a great deal of positive feedback about the trainees. They have been motivated and enthusiastic,” says Eklund.
Helsinki trains talent for the needs of employers
A total of 44 jobseekers were selected for the three RekryKoulutus training courses that began in August. Many of the applicants were young new graduates and people with a migrant background.
In addition to hull welders, sheet metal workers and pipe fitters, electricians are also being trained for the shipyard. The training courses provide the specific skills required for the shipyard’s duties.
The shipyard is a good example of the training cooperation that Helsinki provides to all employers.
“When an employer needs skilled staff, we help them either find suitable candidates or train new talent. We recommend getting in touch with us, no matter how minor the need,” comments Team Manager Bafrin Eskandari from Helsinki Employment Services.
Helsinki Employment Services also collaborates closely with the employment services of Espoo and Vantaa to find talent for the shipyard.