Ville-Pekka Arasmo's Journey: From Competitor to Team Leader

Ville-Pekka Arasmo – Key Highlights:

• Current Role: Development Specialist at Savon Vocational College and Entrepreneur.
• Competitions: Participated in EuroSkills Spa-Francorchamps 2012 and WorldSkills Leipzig 2013.
• Leadership: Team Leader for Finland’s national team at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.
• Qualifications:Sheet Metal Worker (2011), and Welding Specialist Qualification (2013)
• Entrepreneurship: Founded EveryWeld Oy in 2016 to promote welding expertise.
• Interests: Family time, mountain biking, snowboarding, and pursuing studies at a University of Applied Sciences (2023–2026).

When I started studying mechanical engineering and production technology at Savon Vocational College, it didn’t go well at first. I considered myself a poor student, and I wasn’t interested in much of what the studies offered. Luckily, a teacher told me that I had the potential to achieve great things.

That advice changed everything. My teacher encouraged me to make the most of the education and my intellectual capacity. At first, I thought, What is this guy talking about? But gradually, my attitude started to shift. The more I immersed myself in the studies, the more I learned and understood. A positive cycle began.

Bitten by the Competition Bug

As my studies improved, I got the opportunity to compete in the Taitaja Skills semifinals. That’s when I got hooked on competing. Between 2010 and 2015, I achieved several wins, including the national finals at Taitaja2011 and the Nordic championships in 2012.

Competing brought both high points and disappointments. For instance, finishing seventh in the European championships felt like a failure. However, it taught me resilience and humility. I learned that boasting with a “boss mentality” doesn’t get you far; instead, you need to focus on doing your best through hard work.

Competing helped me see my career path more clearly. Even during the competitions, I started thinking about founding my own company to sell my expertise. Why should I take a job where someone else decides how I can use my skills?

In 2016, I established EveryWeld Oy with a clear mission: to ensure that Finland has the best welders in the world.

Entrepreneurship Rooted in Passion

Through EveryWeld, I provide consulting and training services. I don’t just take on welding gigs—I aim to boost the entire welding field in Finland and open new opportunities, such as incorporating digitalization and robotics into welding methods. We explore these innovations together with Savon Vocational College and Cavitar Oy.

The spark for entrepreneurship grew during my studies, training for competitions, and the competitions themselves. I met industry professionals who strongly encouraged me to pursue it.

Starting a company is relatively straightforward in terms of paperwork. I had to invest in some equipment, but the real challenge was finding that first paying customer. When I succeeded, it was the most rewarding experience.

Leading the Finnish Team at WorldSkills

In addition to running EveryWeld, I divide my time between my studies at Savonia University of Applied Sciences and part-time work at Savon Vocational College. I also serve as the team leader for Finland at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

Being a team leader was an incredible experience! My role was to support the team both practically and mentally. For some competitors, it was their first time traveling abroad or even flying. I guided them through these experiences and ensured everyone felt good and prepared. It’s easier to handle competition nerves when your leader has been through it before.

The best part of being a team leader was helping individuals move closer to their dreams. It felt great to give back, just as others had helped me during my competitions.

Success in skills competitions has been a valuable asset when selling my expertise. It’s tangible proof of my competence. It feels amazing to see that my skills can carry me forward and that there’s no shortage of projects. At the same time, EveryWeld has principles that set healthy boundaries for the assignments I take on.

In short, I only take on projects that help the industry move forward. This doesn’t mean cherry-picking the best jobs but rather recognizing that Finland has immense welding expertise worth developing and promoting. Working with skilled companies is a privilege—it’s a two-way street where everyone involved learns and grows.