A long and varied career has done nothing to diminish 62-year-old Pentti Hyttinen’s enthusiasm for working – quite the opposite. Pentti continues to actively learn new skills that he would love to put to use in working life. However, finding a suitable job has proved challenging.
Pentti has worked as a carpenter, a business owner in the furniture industry and in many other roles. He became unemployed in spring 2026 when his fixed-term employment as a technical assistant for a municipality came to an end. Despite being unemployed, Pentti remains focused on the future and has not given up hope of finding meaningful work. During this uncertain time, his membership in A-kassa has provided financial security in everyday life.
A varied career with many different roles
Pentti qualified as a carpenter in 1982 and went on to work in the trade for 15 years. He later expanded his skills through an apprenticeship programme in furniture installation and worked as a factory installer for 12 years. His career has also included kitchen sales, as well as further training as a CNC machinist in 2011. After completing the training, he worked as a self-employed furniture installer for nearly ten years. His career has also included periods of unemployment.
In 2021, Pentti closed his business due to deteriorating market conditions. After decades of physically demanding work, the job was also becoming too hard on his health. In 2022, he had a fixed-term job at a prefabricated element factory, after which he began looking for different types of work.
A new opportunity arose when he secured a wage-subsidised position as a technical assistant for a municipality.
Pentti particularly enjoyed the job. The varied tasks were interesting, and he was able to make use of the precision, attention to detail and expertise he had developed over the years. However, his fixed-term employment ended in March 2026, leaving Pentti once again looking for a new job.
The joy of learning doesn’t fade with age
Although Pentti has a long and varied career behind him, he has never stopped developing his skills. Learning new things remains an important part of his everyday life. Pentti studies independently almost every day. He is particularly interested in 3D drawing and Excel spreadsheets, and he continues to actively develop his skills even while unemployed.
He has plenty of enthusiasm and motivation to return to work, but finding a suitable position has not been easy. Pentti feels that getting a job has become more difficult as he has grown older. His physical capacity also places certain limits on the types of work he can do. Nevertheless, Pentti remains hopeful about the future. He would like to find a job where he can make use of both the professional expertise he has gained over decades and the new skills he has learned.
The unemployment fund provides security in uncertain times
Pentti has been a member of A-kassa for several years. During his unemployment, the earnings-related allowance paid by the fund has provided important financial security.
Although Pentti appreciates the support he receives, he is frustrated by the amount of the earnings-related allowance and the legislative changes made to unemployment security. The cuts do not feel fair when finding employment does not depend solely on a person’s own efforts or skills.
On the other hand, Pentti has been satisfied with A-kassa’s services and how easy it has been to manage his matters with the fund. Applying for earnings-related allowance has been straightforward, and he particularly appreciates the quick application.
Pentti feels that the fund’s services have worked smoothly and helped give him peace of mind during an uncertain period in his life.
Still looking towards a new job
Pentti has no intention of giving up his job search. Next, he plans to try Barona’s recruitment services to help him find a new position.
The experience he has gained throughout his long career, his wide-ranging professional expertise and his continuing desire to learn new things are Pentti’s strengths. He still hopes to find a role where he can put these skills to good use.
Pentti’s story reminds us that the desire to work and learn new things does not disappear with age. Sometimes the greatest challenge is not a lack of motivation or skills, but finding the right opportunity.