Comatec’s induction program is a solid information package on the special characteristics of marine electrical engineering

Finnish educational institutions do not offer training in marine electrical engineering, which means individual learning paths for specialists in the field. At Comatec, competence growth is accelerated by an induction program in marine electrical design tailored to new employees.

Marine electrical engineering is a specialty in electrical engineering that focuses on the design of electrical systems for marine vessels, including, among other things, the production and distribution of electricity on board, automation and marine systems, as well as lighting and various alarm systems. While the basic principles of electrical engineering are universal, there are special requirements for marine electrical design.

– The electrical design of ships is guided by international regulations, which the designer must know. On ships, electricity is produced by the ship and the distribution of electricity is handled through the internal electricity network. The marine environment also brings its own challenges in the form of salt water, humidity, tilting and vibration of the vessel, and confined spaces. At sea we must also be prepared for unexpected situations, such as equipment damage, in a very special way, says Pekka Jaakola, Comatec’s Sales and Development Director of Marine Industry.

– Since experts in marine electrical design do not graduate from any school, we at Comatec decided to launch a comprehensive induction program to increase special expertise in the field. The marine industry is an emerging industry, and it is important for us to offer high-quality engineering services to our domestic and foreign customers, Jaakola continues.

Jaakola has decades of experience in the field. He has been responsible for planning the induction program and is also responsible for its practical implementation.

Learning on the job

Our induction program is built to support the development of the skills of new employees, but also those who have worked in design for a longer time can use it to update their skills. The orientation lasts about a year and consists of monthly webinars that cover the different areas of marine electrical design.

The webinars focus on the different stages of the marine industry design process, official regulations and the requirements of different classification bodies, fire safety, short-circuit currents and potentially explosive atmospheres, as well as documentation and customer communication. The latest design trends is cyber security, which must also be taken into account in the design of marine electricity.

Aleksi Toivanen started working at Comatec at the beginning of 2025 and his first assignment is electrical and automation design for a project to convert a diesel-powered ferry into an electric hybrid-powered ferry. From the start Toivanen was directly involved with the customer project right and at the same time increased his skills through an induction program.

– The induction program provides a comprehensive overview of marine electrical engineering and more detailed information on its different areas. I’ve gained deeper understanding why things are done in a certain way or in a certain order. The wider information increases reliability and work efficiency, which is reflected in high-quality design solutions for the customer.  My own goal is, of course, to develop towards even more demanding design work in maritime industry projects, Toivanen sums up.

A strategic choice for competence development

Pekka Jaakola points out that the benefits of the induction program are directly passed on to Comatec’s client companies.

– Our new employees are quickly prepared to make their contribution in even the most demanding design tasks, and we are able to offer our customers exactly the expertise they need, he says.

The demand for marine electrical engineering is increasing, as the market of the cruise ships is recovering and, based on news reports, new icebreaker ventures are expected in Finland. At the same time, technological and regulatory development, such as cybersecurity regulations, require continuous updating of the skills even for designers who have been working in the field for longer.

– At Comatec, competence development is a strategic choice that we believe will also increase our competitiveness as a supplier of design projects for the marine industry. At the same time, it increases the development opportunities of our personnel and improves our ability to produce added value for our customers. The induction program is not just training, it is a significant investment in the future, Jaakola says.

Text: Marianne Valta
Photo: Sirja Sankala