From trainee to sustainability trailblazer
At Nordec, we take pride in fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture and actively support our employees in their professional growth. Our team members, like Michelle Österblad, thrive while contributing meaningfully to our projects. Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec is a great example of how we empower professionals to drive innovation and make an impact.
Michelle’s Journey at Nordec
Michelle Österblad graduated with a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Novia University of Applied Sciences in May, in Vaasa, Finland. She became interested in Nordec after learning that many students from her school had completed internships here and highly recommended the company. “So, I applied for an internship and started working as a Trainee at Nordec in May 2023. After graduating, I continued working at Nordec as a Designer for a while,” she shares.
Thesis Opportunity and Challenges
During her time as a Trainee, Michelle saw an opportunity to make a greater impact. “I asked for the opportunity to write my thesis for Nordec. One of my colleagues suggested the idea of integrating EPDs into Tekla Structures, which I found interesting since I care for the environment and thought that this could be a step in the right direction for Nordec,” she explains. Tekla Structures is a versatile 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used in the construction industry. It allows users to create detailed and accurate 3D models of structures, manage various materials, and generate essential drawings and reports for the fabrication and construction process.
Her thesis takes a theoretical approach, examining climate regulations in some of Nordec’s largest customer countries. It introduces the concept of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), detailing their production and offering a clear step-by-step guide. Additionally, the thesis proposes a practical system for incorporating EPDs into Nordec’s design process. “This system aims to insert the necessary data for producing elements that comply with specific EPDs, thereby facilitating collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the project process,” Michelle adds.
Michelle encountered challenges during her thesis but overcame them with her colleagues’ support. “One of the main challenges was ensuring the developed system would be useful for all parties in the project process. To address this, I received a lot of help from my colleagues at Nordec. I conducted interviews with people from design, sourcing, and project management to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and find the most efficient solutions,” she notes.
Impact and Future Aspirations
She believes her work will positively influence the construction industry. “As declarations of the environmental impact of building materials become mandatory by law, I believe the system developed is a step in the right direction. While it will likely be further refined, Nordec now has a solid foundation to build upon, including a clear understanding of requirements and how the process should work,” Michelle states.
Throughout her research, Michelle felt encouraged by Nordec. “I got a lot of support from Nordec throughout the entire process. Dan Pada, my supervisor, has extensive knowledge about EPDs and provided critical insights into the integration process. Additionally, I received valuable input regarding the implementation into Tekla Structures from my colleagues at the Vaasa office,” she acknowledges.
Looking ahead, Michelle aims to contribute further to sustainable practices. “I hope I can contribute further to sustainable building by, for example, promoting energy-efficient designs using environmentally friendly materials and solutions. Additionally, I hope I can help Nordec in achieving their sustainability goals further,” she expresses.
Discover More
Michelle’s story reflects Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec and our commitment to nurturing talent and driving innovation in sustainability. If you’re interested in learning more about our sustainability initiatives, visit our Sustainability page. For opportunities to grow with us, explore our Careers page.
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