Waste and process water treatment is an integral part of industrial operations. In industry – whether mining, metals or any other industry – safety at work is the most important operational factor in all modern businesses. For a year now, Anni Honkonen has been responsible for occupational safety and health issues at EPSE as EHSQ Manager. Honkonen has bachelor’s degree in energy and environmental engineering, and she started her master’s studies in August at the Tampere university (former Tampere University of Technology).
“I wanted to get some real experience of working life before doing the master’s degree, because I think the studies will be more fruitful that way” says Honkonen, explaining the background of the study decision. “In addition, my employer’s support had a positive influence on my decision to continue my studies.”
“My employer’s support had a positive influence on my decision to continue my studies.”
Honkonen will have international degree in safety engineering and management and she’s a member of the Faculty of Management and Business. Her studies programme is called SAFER – Masters Degree Programme in Security and Safety Management. The first-year studies will cover HSEQ in enterprises, risk analysis, work and health, industrial engineering and much more. All of this will also be useful for Honkonen’s work, where she will continue with reduced hours, assisted by Anna Kivimäki, who started her internship at EPSE in spring 2022 and will continue by doing her bachelor’s thesis for EPSE later in the fall. “It’s going to be tough, but when my motivation is right and I have the support from my colleagues, I think I’ll manage,” Honkonen thinks.
“In today’s working life, I think continuously learning new things is essential, because everything is constantly updating and there’s so much new and old information available,” Honkonen says. EPSE’s team includes people with a wide range of educational backgrounds and there are also opportunities for growth, as in Honkonen’s case. “I’ve learned a lot by doing my work, and now I’m deepening my knowledge at university”. Of course, employees are also expected to be proactive, even if some of their training needs arise through their work.
EPSE’s team includes people with a wide range of educational backgrounds and there are also opportunities for growth.
EPSE’s small team contains a lot of expertise, but it is also in the company’s interest that employees are actively trained. That is why it is also wanted to make possible for Honkonen to study while she continues her work. “There is a lot of talk about diversity and constant change in the world of work. Personally, I feel that studying and learning new things gives me the confidence to do my job well,” says Honkonen. EPSE’s values are Environment, People, Solutions & Entrepreneurship. “People” stands for respect and support towards our workers and associates, which transfers to enabling employees to pursue their passions within occupational context.
Tampere University has 21 000 students and employs around 4000 people. The current University of Tampere was created at the beginning of 2019 when the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology merged to form a new foundation university. The university has seven faculties. (Tuni).