Graduate Blog 2024-2025

Cory: Hi everyone! My name is Cory, and I’m one of the UK graduates participating in the NKT Graduate Programme this year. I have a background in Geography & Environmental Sciences, so I was brought on board as the Environmental graduate for this cohort. The structure of the programme for UK graduates involves a 9 month relocation to Karlskrona – so since August, I have been adjusting to life in Sweden!

My role at NKT so far has involved a series of rotations around Karlskrona departments; I started in Production Health & Safety, moved through to Project Quality, and am presently sitting in Project Execution. Each rotation has come with a fresh perspective on the organisation, and I think the most fulfilling part of the job has been developing an understanding of how these departments work together to produce the final outcome and business. The rotation plan is flexible, allowing graduates to tailor their experience to their interests and strengths, which is a strong benefit to this programme. We have also received thorough introduction to the facilities here in Karlskrona, including factory orientations and even a tour of the NKT Victoria cable laying vessel. I have included a picture of myself and the other UK graduate Lauren on top of the NKT Victoria helipad alongside this blog post, showcasing the beautiful view we had of Karlskrona’s archipelago!

A highlight of the programme so far has been the people I have around me – particularly within the whole international graduate cohort and with former graduates now working in permanent roles in Karlskrona. The engagement we have had with other employees has been excellent, allowing me to build a strong sense of community. For example, I was given the opportunity to connect with the entire graduate cohort in Karlskrona at the end of September, where we participated in a 2-day introductory Module surrounding NKT’s culture and shared beliefs. This was a fantastic opportunity to form friendships within the cohort and to learn from inspiring speakers across the organisation.

In my view, the experience of moving to a new country and integrating into the community via my role at NKT has been transformative. I feel so grateful that the graduate programme has given me this opportunity, and allowed me all of the new friends and experiences that have come into my life as a result. I never expected that my first job would look like this, but I am so happy with how things have turned out, and I feel that I’m developing a very strong foundation upon which to build my future career at NKT. I will go home to the UK for Christmas next week, and I am returning there with lots of good memories of my time in Sweden so far 😊

Henric: My name is Henric, and I am one of the Technology graduates based in Karlskrona. I hold an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Lund University. When I applied for the Graduate Program, I hoped to gain key insights into the operations of a large company like NKT.

The program includes various rotations, for me totaling nine, with two abroad. Additionally, there are different modules where all graduates come together for educational days to learn about the company and receive training in various activities. One of these modules was in Karlskrona, Sweden, where we had the opportunity to learn more about our different business lines, our customers, and company strategy. We also delved into our Shared Beliefs, which are the backbone of everything we do, providing the path to being a good teammate, colleague, and friend at NKT.

My first rotation was at the Laboratories, where the cable system is qualified in different tests. There, I explored the different tests and gained an understanding of the purpose behind each test a cable must undergo before, during, and after production to be approved.

My second rotation was within Production Operations and Production Technology. During the first part of this rotation, I spent one day at each machine line, gaining hands-on experience. Additionally, I gained a good understanding of the production flow and the steps required to manufacture a high voltage cable. The complexity of manufacturing a high voltage cable is fascinating, sparking my curiosity and desire to learn more. Alongside learning about the factory, I was assigned a project from Production Technology to investigate the potential implementation of a cutting-edge tool.

The best part of being a graduate is meeting interesting people with a lot of knowledge in their specific area. Despite being a graduate for a short period, I have been exposed to many different perspectives and met people from diverse backgrounds. This opportunity to absorb such a wealth of knowledge and perspectives is very valuable, and I know it will benefit me long after the graduate program.

Stamena: Hi! My name is Stamena, and I joined NKT graduate program in September 2024.  It's been an exciting journey so far, and I'd love to share some of my experiences with you. 

My first two rotations at NKT were in the Project Execution and Installation departments. For three months, I had the opportunity to follow the Draugen Project, a Power from Shore initiative. When I joined, the project was in its execution and installation phase, which provided me with a hands-on learning experience. 

One of the highlights of my time here was going on the NKT cable laying vessel, Victoria, for the cable loadout. Witnessing the loading of a cable onto the vessel was an incredible experience. The precision and coordination required for such an operation were truly impressive. 

I also had the chance to join the team for the landfall cable pull-in in Norway. During this operation, the cable is pulled to the shore from Victoria and secured. This was a particularly special experience as I got to see our vessel, Victoria, in a beautiful Norwegian fjord, installing a cable. The scenery was breathtaking, and to top it off, I witnessed the northern lights above us in the sky while the jointers were securing the cable. It was the coolest office to work at! 

Additionally, I got to see how the jointers work on site and overcome challenges. Their expertise and problem-solving skills were truly inspiring. Watching them tackle and resolve issues in real-time gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexity and importance of their work. 

These experiences have not only broadened my technical knowledge but also allowed me to appreciate the work we do at NKT. I'm excited to continue my journey and see what other amazing opportunities lie ahead. 

Stay tuned for more updates!