An international, thriving work community enables sustainable success

In Norelco's increasingly international work community, new skills and operating models are needed. These are developed in collaboration with the City of Savonlinna and the Savonlinna Folk High School. "We want to build a work community that emphasizes equality, and where everyone can feel belonging, regardless of their country, language, or cultural background," says Kirsi Kautonen.

Norelco employs about 250 people, one in five of whom are international employees. Norelco aims to recruit around 60 new employees over the next three years.

"Many of our new employees come to Finland from another country. Therefore, we need to develop new work community skills and practices and participate in the development of integration in our region," says Kirsi Kautonen, who started as Norelco's HR Director in the spring of 2024. 

The Growth Agreement initiated regional cooperation 

"To achieve a good and functional international work community, joint decisions and cooperation are needed regionally as well. This is a strength for Savonlinna and Eastern Finland," says Kautonen. 

In July 2024, Norelco signed a Growth Agreement with the City of Savonlinna. One of the goals is to provide broader support and more opportunities for integrating international people into Savonlinna and Finnish working life. 

Currently, the cooperation under the agreement involves the City of Savonlinna, the Savonlinna Folk High School, and local educational institutions. 

Pilot training for people arriving in Finland 

Kira Boesen, the principal of Savonlinna Folk High School, shares more about the collaboration:

"Savonlinna Folk High School has strong expertise in supporting the integration of immigrants and providing language training. When we heard about Norelco's intention to develop their international work community, we decided to offer our expertise to the project."

In October, a pilot training program was launched with the theme "Learn Finnish and become a Savonlinna Resident." The three-month training includes joint weekends and tasks in between.

"The training involves 26 people from Norelco who speak a language other than Finnish as their mother tongue. They study basic Finnish with our teachers and, at the same time, get to know Finnish culture, practices, and recreational opportunities in our city," says Kira Boesen. 

Flexibility and new skills needed from everyone

Kira Boesen also highlights a broader perspective on workplaces. She reminds that as an employee, you are among the first people to whom a person arriving in Finland encounters in their daily life. 

"The new person's colleagues do the same work, shop at the same stores, handle their banking, and engage in hobbies – living their familiar everyday life, which is foreign to someone coming from abroad. I encourage interaction in everyday matters. This creates a strong foundation for a sense of belonging in the company and integration into the community," says Kira Boesen. 

Strong interest in developing working life at Norelco 

Respect and appreciation for colleagues are among Norelco's values. Kirsi Kautonen emphasizes that everyone's thoughts on working in a multicultural work community are valuable.

In the fall, Norelco conducted an employee survey in collaboration with the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK). The survey aimed to find out what Norelco employees wish for in the development of a multinational work community.

"The responses show the enthusiasm and desire of international people to delve into working life and the skills needed at Norelco," says Kirsi Kautonen. 

Interestingly, the views on developing the work community were quite similar regardless of the respondent: 

"Norelco employees are interested in increasing mutual interaction and thus willing to learn more about their colleagues. Additionally, understanding the rules of working life and developing work culture were topics of interest to both current Norelco employees and those who have just started working with us. This was not dependent on nationality. We have a strong desire to develop our shared workplace," says Kirsi Kautonen happily.

The ideas generated by the survey have already been discussed at Norelco, and new practices are being developed and implemented starting in early 2025.

More Information

Norelco Oy, Kirsi Kautonen, HR Director, tel. +358 40 713 1033 or kirsi.kautonen@norelco.fi
Savonlinna Folk High School, Kira Boesen, Principal, tel. +358 44 704 7505 or kira.boesen@sko.fi

Read more - Norelco is on a growth path

Norelco has been developing its business in recent years, and the company's turnover has grown significantly. The company now employs about 250 people in Eastern Finland, nearly 50 of whom have come to Finland from another country to find employment.

In addition to the training aimed at international employees, Norelco has launched the Norelco Academy this year in collaboration with the City of Savonlinna, Samiedu Vocational College, and the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK). The aim is to strengthen expertise and education in the electrical industry in Eastern Finland.