Real project topics, real careers
At Nordec in Vaasa, students join design teams and work on real projects from the beginning. They take responsibility early and often complete their thesis on topics that are directly used in practice. For many, this has also been the start of a permanent role with us.
This approach has also led to external recognition. For three consecutive years, Nordec employees have received recognition for their theses at Teräsrakennepäivä, organised by the Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association. All three completed their work with Nordec and continued their careers with us in Vaasa. In each case, the thesis topic originated from a practical need identified during ongoing projects.
From left to right: Michelle Österblad, Johanna Björkqvist and Lukas Aarnio celebrating at a shared coffee moment in the Vaasa office last December.
From thesis work to practical design tools
The first in this sequence was Johanna Björkqvist, who completed her thesis in cooperation with Nordec and has since continued working as part of the Vaasa design team. Her thesis focused on improving the calculation process in detailed steel design. She created five adaptable connection details in IDEA StatiCa and verified the results against independent MathCad calculations.
The work also included a short modelling guide for designers using IDEA StatiCa. The aim was to support the production of reliable calculation data while also enhancing awareness of the risks associated with connection design. “The thesis process was an educational experience. I want to thank Nordec for making the work possible and for the new knowledge I gained.”
Michelle Österblad joined Nordec as a trainee during her studies. “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 says. When it was time to define her thesis topic, she wanted it to have direct value. “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.”
Her thesis focused on integrating Environmental Product Declarations into the design process and creating a practical system that designers can use in everyday modelling. The system inserts the required EPD data for elements complying with specific declarations and supports the transfer of information between project stakeholders.
Lukas Aarnio developed an automated method for truss joint calculations directly inside SCIA Engineer, removing manual steps and reducing calculation time from hours to minutes. “Once that became clear, building the tool directly inside SCIA was the logical step. Developing something that designers can apply in real work felt worthwhile,” he says. The tool is now used in Nordec’s design work and allows truss joint calculations to follow the same modelling workflow used in everyday structural design.
From individual topics to shared development
Together, these theses show how development work at Nordec often grows directly from practical engineering questions. For students, this means working on real project challenges and producing results that remain in use after graduation. For Nordec, it means new methods and tools are developed as part of everyday design work rather than through separate research exercises.
