At Kaarea, we value the contributions of young talent and believe that fresh ideas help move the company forward. In the property services team, three construction theses are nearing the finish line. Students Arttu Nieminen, Mikael Söderholm, and Oliver Nikkiläfrom Turku University of Applied Sciences originally joined Kaarea as summer trainees and to complete an internship as part of their studies. They are now in the final stages of their studies, balancing site work with the completion of their theses. Arttu and Mikael are training to become construction managers, and Oliver is training to become a construction engineer.

From theses to practice

Arttu: Production planning for a large-scale renovation project

Arttu is completing his thesis on production planning for Kaarea’s renovation project at the Art House Turku (Taiteen talo). The thesis highlights the importance of careful planning in ensuring a smooth commencement of site operations.
“In the spring, my supervisor and I explored potential thesis topics and selected this one due to Kaarea’s upcoming large-scale renovation project at the Art House Turku in the autumn. Careful production planning helps ensure a smooth start to the project.”

Writing the thesis and working at Kaarea have strengthened Arttu’s interest in renovation construction. The main challenge of the thesis was finding suitable sources, but in the end the right sources were found through active searches across various databases and libraries.
Arttu expresses his appreciation for the trust and responsibility given to trainees at Kaarea. The employer has also provided continuous support throughout the thesis process.

Mikael: Swimming pool maintenance and water slide renovation

Mikael’s thesis focuses on the dismantling and renewal of a swimming pool water slide, as well as operational maintenance. The project has involved several phases and close cooperation with multiple parties. The work site itself has presented its own challenges, and Mikael highlights having gained valuable insight into the difficulties of installing a 50-metre water slide in a high-traffic swimming facility.

The results of the thesis provide concrete solutions for swimming pool maintenance and project management. A key challenge was obtaining the necessary plans from the water slide supplier, as there were many different people involved in the project.
Mikael commends Kaarea for its professional tools and versatile tasks, as well as the strong support provided during his thesis, which allowed him to develop his practical expertise.

Oliver: The benefits of circular economy in school renovation projects

Oliver’s thesis explores the benefits of circular economy in school renovation projects and the automation of inventory management. He developed an Excel-based inventory system to support Kaarea’s day-to-day operations. His hands-on experience at Kaarea greatly contributed to the thesis:
“During my three summers at Kaarea, I have observed how circular economy can be applied, particularly in the maintenance of school facilities.”
The biggest challenge for Oliver was getting started, but he overcame it by simply diving in. Oliver values Kaarea as a workplace, especially for its variety:
“What I value most is the opportunity to work on a wide range of sites and projects. The experience has been varied and educational.”

The practical benefits of theses for Kaarea

Each of the three theses delivers practical value to Kaarea by contributing to the development of production planning, maintenance processes, and circular economy solutions. The work is based on real construction sites and projects, and the students have received both support and responsibility, which has strengthened their skills and commitment to the field. The results of the theses can be applied to Kaarea’s future projects, for example in site planning, maintenance processes, and circular economy initiatives.

Olli Koivukangas, Head of Property Services , commends the trio for their contributions:

“Watching Oliver, Mikael, and Arttu grow professionally within our site management team has been very rewarding. They have courageously taken on the challenges of renovation and maintenance, taking the lead on a wide range of projects. I was particularly pleased to see that each of them identified thesis topics that provide tangible benefits to both our company and our clients.
It has been a pleasure to work with them, and we are fortunate to continue working with them as they apply the insights from their theses.
I warmly thank each of them for their contributions and wish them success in their chosen careers.”

Looking to the future

Kaarea will continue to invest in young talent and practical development. Theses provide an opportunity to make an impact and grow, both for the student and the company. Together, we build future solutions that stand the test of time.

Photo: Katja Luntamo