This year marks a significant milestone for Wärtsilä as we celebrate our 190th anniversary - a testament to our colleagues’ dedication, energy, and motivation. Among these committed professionals are service and workshop engineers such as Mikael Sjöberg, whose expertise and experience have been instrumental in delivering exceptional support to customers.
Nearly 50 years ago, a young Mikael embarked on a vocational education path that set the foundation for a fulfilling career. His choice proved wise, as his skills have consistently been in demand. Mikael’s early career included an eight-year tenure as a mechanic at Shell, seconded from Wärtsilä. Subsequently, he dedicated 17 years to Göteborg Energi, a prominent Swedish power plant established in 1846, where he and two colleagues from Wärtsilä operated three gas engines.
Towards the late 1990s, Mikael shifted his focus to workshop jobs, which marked a pivotal point in his career. In 2001, following Wärtsilä’s acquisition of Ciserv, Mikael and his colleague Lars-Erik joined Wärtsilä. Mikael has since been based in Gothenburg, Sweden, for the past 15 years and counting.
A typical workday for Mikael begins with a cup of coffee, engaging in conversations with colleagues and reflecting on life. Listening to how the youngsters of today look at life is something Mikael appreciates a lot. Few may know that Mikael was an ice hockey coach and practised ballroom dancing in his earlier years.
Mikael’s career has seen its share of challenges. “One of my less pleasant experiences is probably when a fire broke out on the ship we were sailing. Another one is when a violent storm broke out and we went full speed ahead while the ship drifted 1 knot backward. I can tell you, it was a bit uneasy on board at that moment,” Mikael recalls. Over the years, safety priorities have evolved significantly — from an era where cost considerations often overshadow safety to the current standards where safety takes precedence. “Each day I can go home in the same condition as when I arrived is a privilege that not everyone is fortunate enough to have,” Mikael asserts.
Mikael has also witnessed the transition from steamships—on which he has worked—to fully electric vessels, adapting to the industry’s advancements.
Mikael attributes his long tenure in the profession to the variety of roles and experiences he has encountered. Today, he draws his energy from spending time with, according to Mikael, the most honest people in today’s society – grandchildren. If he could learn a new skill today, Mikael would go to learn how to operate a mini excavator, train as a carpenter, and learn Spanish. Learning Spanish is already on his to-do list.
We celebrate the commitment and achievements of professionals like Mikael Sjöberg, whose dedication and passion have played a crucial role in steering Wärtsilä towards future success.
