Finavia’s System Specialist Janne Heino is responsible for, among other things, the scanning equipment, explosive and liquid analysers and metal detector gates used in security control and baggage inspection at Oulu Airport. The main focus of the work is on the maintenance of equipment and regular maintenance, but sometimes there are also acute fault situations.
Heino describes his work as primarily proactive. Regular maintenance helps keep the equipment operational, but it requires careful timing.
"The safety control line cannot be closed for maintenance just like that. We check the flight schedules and choose a time when there are fewer passengers and the work will disturb security control as little as possible."
In Finavia’s regional technology, a team of seven specialists looks after the safety equipment of the airport network across Finland. Heino’s main workplace is Oulu Airport. In addition, he also works at Kajaani, Kemi-Tornio, Kokkola-Pietarsaari, Kuusamo and Vaasa airports as needed.
"Cooperation between the regions is an important part of everyday life. We are an agile team. We get things done even though we work in different locations."
Straight to a permanent job while looking for a traineeship
Heino ended up at Finavia while looking for a traineeship place for his engineering studies. He did not find one, but the position of System Specialist was available at Rovaniemi Airport and Heino was hired.
"The stars were aligned, and I completed my traineeship by learning on the job and keeping a learning diary. After that, I also wrote a thesis on a project related to my work," he says, smiling.
Heino, who graduated as a Bachelor of Engineering in late 2024, worked at Rovaniemi Airport for two years. After that, he got the opportunity to transfer to a similar position in Oulu after the previous employee had retired. Heino, who is from Oulu, happily accepted the transfer.
"Before starting the work, I had a certain image of the position and work at Finavia. The job description has turned out to be much broader and more interesting than I expected," he says.
Equipment training is the best part of the work
The maintenance of safety equipment requires training provided by the producer, which means that competence is acquired one equipment training at a time. The implementation of new equipment or equipment version always requires a new training. Heino has attended training in Belgium, the UK, Italy and France.
"In the job interview, I said that it's probably not possible to find an experienced professional for these systems. In this job, you learn and grow into the position."
In the beginning, it took Heino approximately a year to find a good rhythm in his work and to be able to carry out tasks independently. All equipment training must be up to date before anything can be done independently.
Heino appreciates the diversity of his tasks, the atmosphere of the team and the predictability of everyday life. The working hours are flexible in Oulu, which is a good fit for the life of Heino's family with children, especially in the mornings. In his spare time, he plays the drums and the guitar, goes to the gym, plays computer games and rides a motorcycle.
"It feels good to work at Finavia. The best part is continuously learning new things and seeing the impact of your work on the everyday life of the airport. When the equipment works, passengers can move forward smoothly. That’s when we’ve succeeded," says Heino.
