Dalarna has given me good opportunities to build an international career
When Cathrine Hekkala was choosing a trainee program after her studies in Engineering Physics, she chose Hitachi Energy in Ludvika. A choice that has given her career a real boost in several respects, not least in terms of her ambition to work internationally.
“It works very well to build an international career with Dalarna as a base,” she says. “Hitachi Energy has an international environment where I have the opportunity to meet colleagues from all over the world and build global networks both on site in Ludvika and at the company’s facilities abroad. The trainee program gave me a perfect start and a good foundation for joining the company.”
Good start to your career
Cathrine moved from Karlstad to Ludvika and Dalarna in September 2020 to begin the Trainee Program at Hitachi Energy. After completing the program, she received a permanent position as a project manager in production technology at Hitachi Energy’s Power Transformers department in April 2021. The department manufactures transformers and Cathrine’s role includes leading strategic, long-term projects.
“The trainee program was very good for me,” says Cathrine. “The people who work in the program and at the company are extremely competent and helpful, which creates a family atmosphere that is very positive for my development. Those of us who work here often work together and there are good opportunities to switch between different departments and in a way develop ourselves in several different areas. And of course it is very interesting to work in a future industry with a focus on electric power and green energy. Despite the recession, we are fully committed.”
Dalarna, Cordoba and the rest of the world
At the time of writing, Cathrine is on a service assignment at Hitachi Energy’s factory in Cordoba in southern Spain. The assignment is part of the Trainee Program, which involves working for three to six months at one of the company’s factories around the world.
“It’s a really interesting assignment with a similar position as in Ludvika, but within the area of Continuous Improvement, where we work to increase efficiency in production but also in other parts of the company. I really appreciate such an opportunity, to experience another culture, another language and to take part in a different perspective. It’s challenging and developed on many levels,” says Cathrine.
Smooth move
When moving to a new city or town, accommodation is often a tough nut to crack. But according to Cathrine, finding a good place to live in Ludvika was no problem. “I live centrally in Ludvika, about a five-minute walk to work and with access to a gym, nature and outdoor training all around. For me, who loves to exercise, it’s a big advantage. But the best thing about moving here is that it has been very good for my career. Through my job, I develop both professionally and as a person. My ambition is to work even more internationally, and I think there may be good conditions for that within Hitachi Energy,” she concludes.
About Catherine
Name: Cathrine Hekkala
Age: 28 years old
Occupation: Project manager in production technology at Hitachi Energy in Ludvika
Studies: Technical Physics at Karlstad University
Moved to Dalarna: September 2020