"Development does not happen by staying in familiar surroundings"

NCC's CEO trainee opportunity offers a unique chance for a young top talent to work closely with the company’s executive leadership. Veikko Jokelainen, Tender Manager in Building Nordics, shares what he has learned by following NCC's CEO Tomas Carlsson in his daily work.

"For me, the CEO trainee program came with an extra dimension: moving to a new country, communicating in Swedish, and finding myself in a completely new environment. Spending time in Sweden has been one of the most insightful experiences of my professional journey so far, and also a perfect continuation to my participation to Young Advisory Board in 2024.

What initially felt like a short visit quickly evolved into something much deeper - a shift in perspective, new ways of thinking, and a stronger sense of direction for my own future.

From learning to action

What makes the experience truly valuable is not just the learning itself, but how quickly it can be applied. Since returning, I can already see a  clear change in my day-to-day work. I approach challenges with a more strategic mindset, ask different kinds of questions, and actively look for opportunities to improve how we work.

For me, the time in Sweden acted as a catalyst. It gave me the confidence to take more ownership, contribute more actively to discussions, and think beyond my current role. Instead of executing tasks, I now find myself considering how my work fits into the bigger picture.
 
  • Visit to the Scandic Aarhus project, where NCC is building a hotel with skybar and wellness center.

  • Left image: Green Industry Transformation conference in Luleå, Sweden-. Right image: Visit to Gellerup, where NCC is refurbishing five blocks in Aarhus, Denmark.

Motivation for the future

If there is one thing that stands out above all, it is the motivation this experience has created. Seeing the organization from a new angle and interacting with people across different levels has strengthened my desire to grow within NCC.

The journey has shown me that development does not happen by staying in familiar surroundings - it comes from stepping into new environments, being open to learning, and continuously challenging yourself.

This experience in Sweden has not only added to my knowledge, but it has also clarified my ambition: to keep developing, to seek new perspectives, and to actively build a path forward within the company."
 
Veikko Jokelainen
Tender Manager
NCC Building Nordics