When Topi Kangas decided to swap high-volume metal manufacturing for specialised, project-based marine engineering, he was looking to broaden his horizons. "I’ve always been interested in sustainability and sustainable business, quality and improving processes so applying to the QHSE trainee position at Steerprop was a no-brainer," Topi shares.
Topi is 26, originally from Ulvila near Pori and in the first year of his Master’s studies in Industrial Engineering and Management at the University of Turku (UTU), having previously completed his Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After first encountering Steerprop at the "UTUtech job day" fair, he jumped at the chance to merge his technical engineering background with high-impact Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) responsibilities.
Scope of Impact & Diverse Operations
Coming from a traditional manufacturing background, Topi knew that project-based propulsion design would involve complex workflows, but the actual breadth of his role was an exciting revelation.
"I think even though I knew QHSE is involved in many different areas in the company, I was still a bit surprised by just how broad the role is and how many different kinds of tasks I got to work on," Topi explains.
I got to work on a much wider variety of tasks than I had expected, which made the role really interesting and fun.
Throughout his four-month traineeship, Topi’s daily schedule was packed with multidisciplinary responsibilities. He supported supplier compliance activities, compiled work instructions, developed safety documentation, and created training materials regarding information security and AI. He also actively contributed to Steerprop’s sustainability initiatives by calculating carbon footprints and monitoring regulatory changes.
"I’m glad I got to be a part of developing sustainability so to say. I like that Steerprop wants to be ahead of the curve in sustainability," Topi notes. "I think the most interesting and unique experience is that I got to be here when there is a new ERP system coming. I get to see how it is implemented and how processes change and are thought about again and how people come together and think about solutions to problems."
Big-Picture Maritime Exposure
Navigating a sector where every propulsion system is tailor-made gave Topi a fresh perspective on production dynamics. "I think what was different compared to my previous experiences was that at Steerprop things are project-based. And that makes it feel like there are many more moving pieces when every project is unique in a way," he reflects.
To help him understand how these pieces fit together, Steerprop provided a comprehensive onboarding programme that extended well beyond his immediate duties.
"I really liked that even though I didn’t really work with for example electrical and automation engineering I still got an overview of their side of things and I feel that helped me understand the bigger picture," Topi says.
I also felt that if I had a problem with anything or just needed help, I always got what I needed. Just had to ask.
Among the highlights of his time on site was getting out into the assembly shop: "I also got to see the production area and a test drive of a propulsion device."
Practical Verification and the Path Ahead
Bridging academic theory with physical manufacturing allowed Topi to directly test concepts from his coursework in supply chains, quality assurance, and sustainable business models.
"I think my studies have helped me get into the swing of things and understand terminology and why things are the way they are and the theories behind them," he says.
I got a very comprehensive dive into the world of propulsion systems and the QHSE role that taught me a lot about what the work is in practice. That is something that studies cannot really offer and that’s why I think these sorts of trainee programs are essential for every student.
As he prepares to tackle his Master’s thesis in the autumn, Topi's experience has solidified his interest in maritime operations and QHSE. "I think this summer has for sure made me appreciate it even more and maybe to even make it into a career for me," he concludes. "The maritime industry is huge worldwide and also in Finland and so I am extremely happy that I have enjoyed being a part of it and I would absolutely be interested in working in the industry."
Ready to discover where a maritime thesis or trainee journey could take you? Explore our career and student opportunities on the Steerprop Careers page
