Endijs has been working in the fitter team at AS Latvijas Finieris for just over a year. After graduating from Liepāja State Technical School, he was looking for a job and applied for a CNC operator vacancy in response to a job ad. The recruiter took note of his technical qualifications and offered him the position of maintenance fitter.

From repairing a bicycle to dealing with large production facilities

Endijs’ interest in mechanics started at an early age — first, he worked on his bike, then his scooter, and eventually he started repairing cars. Although he initially considered training as an electrician, he ultimately decided in favour of mechatronics.

“In a way, I didn’t go on to train as an electrician because of a misunderstanding. I ended up learning a broader range of skills — electronics, mechatronics, drafting, etc. But I still want to learn more about electricity,”

says Endijs.

At AS Latvijas Finieris, he started out as a maintenance fitter, which is the first step on the road to becoming a mechanic and a senior maintenance mechanic. The job demanded quickly gaining a significant amount of new knowledge since both the equipment and the work were initially unfamiliar.

“When you start working at the mill, there is a huge amount of information to learn. But after a year, I can say that I feel I’ve settled in and mastered the existing equipment,”

he shares.

Meeting in the morning, then — on to repairs!

Endijs’ day starts with a morning meeting to discuss the agenda with the shop and the technicians; then, the team divides up the work and heads out to carry out scheduled repairs and planned maintenance on the equipment. The work is intense and dynamic. There are times when attempted repairs reveal problems that are more complex and deeper than they first seemed. There is often no time to wait for responses from manufacturers or suppliers, as immediate action is required. As a result, improvisation and experimentation are frequently necessary to quickly determine the best solution.

“The work is interesting, full of mechanical experiments. We learn a lot by doing and testing to understand how best to repair or improve equipment and its performance,”

says Endijs.

His curiosity and perseverance have not gone unnoticed. Just over a year later, at the start of 2025, Endijs was named the previous year’s best technician at the plant.

A supportive team and opportunities for growth

Endijs’ supervisor, Jānis Tīsis, is convinced that the young maintenance fitter has great potential and has every chance of becoming a senior maintenance mechanic in the future.

“If you want to, Latvijas Finieris gives you every opportunity to grow. The key is having interest and the will to act,”

he stresses.

The company helps develop new skills and provides opportunities to refresh and expand your knowledge. Endijs has already completed a course in hydraulics, but in the future, he plans to learn electrician skills so that he can work more independently.

“The support received from my colleagues is invaluable. When I started, my mentor was a senior maintenance mechanic who oversaw my work and helped me learn everything I needed to know. Now I can do a lot of things on my own,”

says Endijs.

Mechanical engineering — an opportunity for the future

The expertise gained at the AS Latvijas Finieris mills is unique, and the profession of a mechanic remains stable and highly sought after. With today’s technological advancements, mechanics will always be essential — both for maintaining existing equipment and for servicing increasingly advanced robotic systems.

“I love working here. The main thing is not to be afraid! Think, dare and do,”

says Endijs, encouraging others to consider joining AS Latvijas Finieris.

If you’re eager to learn, grow and take on challenges, join us and become part of a team that drives the world forward!

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