A crucial security
What if no one wants the product you're producing? Jon Inge Haugen works on developing new products. "In a troubled time, being in a union provides security.
The 58-year-old has been part of a rapid technological development. He started out as an industrial mechanic. Further education led him to Trondheim College of Engineering, where he became a mechanical engineer in 1995.
Now he is a senior engineer in the development department at Norske Skog Skogn.
Haugen uses his engineering expertise for studies and practical projects that drive technical development further.
"I'm lucky to be able to do so many exciting things," he says.
The role of engineers in the transition
Norske Skog Skogn is a paper producer and has been producing newsprint for a number of years. The company is an important cornerstone company with about 360 employees and around 30 apprentices.
The newsprint market is steadily declining. The company is working to find new products that can replace that part of the production.
"We live in a highly digitalized world. As a company, we must continuously improve and be competitive," says Haugen.
As a senior engineer, he has an important role in developing new products and ensuring that Norske Skog Skogn moves forward in the transition.
"This is a systematic, long-term work with studies and trials," he says. Haugen is excited about what the future will bring.
The security of having NITO's back
In addition to his role as a senior engineer, Haugen is also the business group leader for NITO at Skogn. He emphasizes the importance of being unionized:
"For my own part, I feel secure in having a large union behind me, such as NITO. Even though we are in a very orderly workplace, it is always good to have someone to talk to and ask if we have challenges. The employment law offer from NITO is invaluable.
He believes that participation and participation in decisions are important in the workplace. At Skogn, the NITO group feels that they have a good dialogue with the management, and that their views are heard. "If you are in a trade union, your rights are secured, and you have someone who speaks for you – both as an individual and as part of a group.
Haugen's call to other engineers and technologists is clear:
"All engineers and technologists should join NITO. It is important that we are many! With more people, we become stronger, and the membership benefits also become even better.
