UPM Future Professional of Biofuels Training Programme, initiated on 29 March 2022, is the first “Future Professional” training programme of UPM Biofuels.
“We want to ensure a skilled, highly motivated and active workforce also in the future by training and transferring existing skills through a master-apprentice approach”, says Hans Nyström, HR Manager, UPM Lappeenranta Biorefinery.
With a duration of two years, UPM Future Professional of Biofuels Training Programme will adhere to the 70-20-10 vocational training scheme, with 70% of the time spent in actual work at the biorefinery, 20% with theoretical studies, and 10% with self-study.
The vocational qualification includes the compulsory components of safety and on-site support plus two optional modules.
The training programme is based on a fixed-term employment contract, at the end of which the apprentice graduates with a vocational degree.
The main educational partner of the apprenticeship programme is Saimaa Vocational College Sampo, located in Lappeenranta, Finland. In addition, process training in petrochemistry will be under the responsibility of the multidisciplinary vocational education and training provider Careeria.
Similar training programmes to a professional career at other branches of UPM have been available since 2014, when UPM Kaukas and UPM Kymi paper mills jointly created and launched an apprenticeship programme. Apprenticeship programmes have become a widely adopted standard in recruiting and training professionals to various biofore processes and functions at UPM.
Main image: The next generation of UPM Biofuels professionals: Sampsa (left), Sami, Timo, Samuli and Teemu.