Magnetic experience: trainees from Norway share their feedback on hands-on Basic Mechanic Apprentice traineeship

Interviews & Articles
18.02.2021

In early 2020, Magnetic MRO and OSM Aviation signed an MoU to engage in a strategic partnership by generating an apprenticeship program aimed at OSM recruits and employees.

In September 2020, the first group of qualified technical apprentices from Norway started their 24-months hands-on Basic Mechanic Apprentice traineeship in the Base Maintenance environment with us in Estonia. As an apprentice, they have a chance to work in a highly dynamic environment and gather experience in working on different Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 family maintenance projects – and we had a chance to ask a few how it has been going so far?

We chatted with a few trainees: Hanne Stav, Leon Jacobsen, Silje Vetti Grøndal, Adrian Løken Bjørklund and Jan Ferdinand Smedsrud about their Magnetic experience. Let’s kick off with getting to know how did you hear about this training program? How did you find the application process? Jan Ferdinand Smedsrud: The school I studied at recommended me to apply for the training program. I had earlier stumbled on OSM’s application on their website and thought this offer for the training program was almost too good to be true. And the application process was pretty straight forward. Just give them “this and that” document or info and you were done! Adrian Løken Bjørklund: My experience is very similar: I’ve heard about this training program through the presentation with OSM Aviation in my school. There they presented their company and their goals, and also showing how to enter the training program – this process is quite clear, especially when you get all help needed at hand. What were the main challenges associated with relocation to Estonia? Do you have any tips for those who are going to move to Estonia for the work experience? Leon Jacobsen: Moving away from friends and family can be challenging, and the unfamiliarity of living in a different country can cause some stress. Thus, I would recommend this training program to those who see this as opportunities and not problems. Opportunities to get new friends, practise language skills, experience a different culture and it’s also a fast way to learn to be independent. Silje Vetti Grøndal: I would add that finding a place to stay was something I used a lot of time on. It was important to me that it was a reasonable price and close to the airport. And here is my tip to others - to start early with apartment hunting! Hanne Stav: The main challenge for me must be the language barrier! But many younger people here speak English – and to make most of the situation, I would recommend anyone who goes on the same adventure to try to speak with as many people as possible to get to know the language, unwritten rules and culture. Let’s go back to start of the program: what was the first impressions so far of the training program when you kicked it off in September? Hanne Stav: My first impression of my training program was much better put up than I expected. Sometimes as a new one, you don’t quite understand why and how they are doing as they do but after getting to know the company it’s a very established company. Jan Ferdinand Smedsrud: Even before I travelled to Estonia, I had good impressions of the training program, and even after a few months now you do regular work as everybody else. Magnetic MRO gave me impressions that they were serious about their work, modern and flexible with the way they communicate and that they had a safe work environment. Adrian Løken Bjørklund: Although there were some challenges because of pandemic-related changes, I think Magnetic MRO handled these issues very well and I’m very thankful for their instantaneous support – this contributes to my positive first impression and I am excited to see what the next months will bring. What do you like the most from this work experience? What do you find the most challenging?  Silje Vetti Grøndal: I like how it has challenged me in ways that would not have been possible in my own country. The most challenging part has probably been the language barrier, but it has still worked out pretty good. Leon Jacobsen: The most challenging thing for me was the transition from a relaxed school situation to the very real work-life! Jan Ferdinand Smedsrud: I like the physical work you do, but I also love to see clever designs for small parts or components. And the most challenging thing is sometimes the tight spaces or weird positions you have to stay in to do tasks.  Why would you recommend/not recommend a traineeship program for others willing to pursue their career in aviation? Hanne Stav: A traineeship in Magnetic MRO  will give you so many opportunities afterwards. You will have the chance to try out different zones, different tasks and you will dig more into one zone later. You will be challenged all the time and you have the chance to develop yourself every single day. Adrian Løken Bjørklund: I would recommend this traineeship to others, because I am kind of the test subject for this new traineeship program, so much of the “errors” are corrected, so for the next generation can have a much better experience with this traineeship program – even better than we have! What about your free time here? What do you enjoy in Estonia? Leon Jacobsen: I enjoy walking around in the city and parks here in Tallinn! I also enjoy socializing and meeting new people – but in this new reality and the pandemic, there obviously are some restrictions in place. Hanne Stav: For me, most of the time when I don’t work I go to the gym or just be social with my new local friends here. It’s many pretty places to visit, many interesting people with a lot of facts about Estonia and there is a lot of people from foreign countries such as Italy, France and Baltic countries so it’s endless to explore!