The professional drivers being trained today need many hours on the machine before they leave school. Once they leave school, there is not much time for the employer to train a new driver. ShoreLink would like to contribute by allowing students to practice and practice and practice again to drive different machines. It is gratifying when the students show really good skills.
Roger Bergman, site manager for ShoreLink Terminal in Piteå, praises Malin and Maja, the two latest interns from Strömbacka School's Transport Technology line, year 3.
- They are really good examples of how skilled the students are who come straight from school. They get started right away and drive. They take charge, dare to try and have a positive attitude. That's important.
He continues to emphasize that it is important for ShoreLink to help with the training of future professional drivers, especially by giving them as many driving hours as possible in different machines, but also giving them the opportunity to try out the port's machines, which may differ to some extent from other areas of work.
- At the same time, we would like to show what fun and exciting work there is here in the port, he concludes.
Practice, practice, practice – the internship is very important
Both Malin and Maja agree that all internships are very valuable, both for getting enough practice opportunities, but also for possible future jobs. Here at ShoreLink, everyone has let them drive the machines and really believed in them when they handed over the machine. At the same time, everyone is helpful and committed to sharing their experience. There is always someone to ask.
Today is Malin's fourth day at ShoreLink and she drives the container truck that lifts 45 tons.
- The fun part is that I get to drive the vehicles and not just watch. After a very short instruction about the truck, I got to start and drive, and I've never driven a container truck before. But it takes practice to get good at it.
Maja, Malin's classmate, has finished her internship at ShoreLink.
- It was fun! I really got to try driving many different machines, everything from trucks with trailers to small 4-ton paper trucks and large 90-ton container trucks.
They admit that a lot of patience is needed now that they are learning the profession. As a professional driver, they emphasize that you also need to dare to take matters into your own hands and be prepared to solve different situations that arise. The profession itself and the work environment are rewarding. Both agree that working in a male-dominated profession has its advantages, such as that communication is straightforward and there is not so much "hustle" about all the tasks.
Why did it become a Transport Engineering major?
"It kind of runs in the family. My father, grandfather and uncle work in the profession and I've always found it fun to drive different machines," says Malin.
For Maja it's just the opposite. She has no close relatives who work in the profession. It was a trip by truck to Dalarna to participate in a horse race that decided her.
- It seemed really fun and the opportunities for jobs after school are great. The entire trip to Dalarna I made sure to sit next to the driver to see how he worked.
On the way from the photo shoot – Can you work?
We leave Malin to continue working in the container truck and pass Operations Manager Christer on the way back.
- When is your next school holiday, Maja?
- Week 10
- Then you come here and work. You are needed!
- Yes, sir – I'll be there on Monday, week 10.
A win-win for both employer and young employee.