“ChatGPT’s not going to take these jobs” – Jaakko, 23, tanker driver

Video: Jaakko Aunio – Hyppää kyytiin

Jaakko Aunio is a 23-year-old student who drives a tanker lorry alongside his studies. He got the spark for the industry during his military service and set off driving deliveries in his very first summer. The second summer he moved to Simen, where he’s driven every summer, Christmas holidays and any other time off ever since.

Jaakko’s story is a good example of how you can end up in the transport and logistics sector without any long-term plan. All it takes is grabbing the opportunity.

How do you end up in the industry?

For Jaakko, the spark was lit during his military service. After that, he tried his hand at deliveries in his first summer and realised the work suited him. That’s how it started.

This is typical in the transport and logistics sector: many professionals have found their way in by simply trying it out. A TET placement is exactly that kind of chance to try things out. Once you see the job up close, you quickly know whether it’s for you.

Driving abroad is the best part

Jaakko highlights the international side of the job, something many people overlook when they talk about the industry. He says driving abroad is the best thing about it: seeing different cultures, using your language skills and meeting nice people along the way.

One summer in Swedish Lapland, Jaakko brought a spinning rod along and cast for fish by the rivers during his rest periods. “One of my best memories from last summer,” he says.

A driver’s job isn’t just about driving. It’s about travelling, seeing new places and collecting experiences.

The industry isn’t going anywhere

“ChatGPT’s not going to take these jobs, not from me anyway,” Jaakko says in the video. And he’s right. The transport and logistics sector is one of those industries where the need for skilled people just keeps growing. Goods need to be moved, and that takes people who know how to handle a vehicle and act responsibly.

It’s a safe choice for the future.

Who’s the tanker driver job suited to?

A tanker driver transports liquid or gaseous substances, so the job calls for real precision and a strong sense of responsibility. At the same time, it offers freedom and variety. Every load is different, and the job takes you to different places.

If you enjoy driving, value independence and want to see the world, working as a tanker driver could be just right for you.

Frequently asked questions

How do you become a tanker driver?

You’ll need a C or CE driving licence and ADR training for transporting dangerous goods. This training is available at vocational colleges across Finland.

Is being a tanker driver dangerous?

The job calls for precision and following safety procedures, but with training and experience it’s safe. Safety always comes first.

How much does a tanker driver earn?

Pay varies depending on experience and employer, but the industry pays well. Jaakko himself says you get “decent pay” for the work.

Interested in driving?

If Jaakko’s story caught your interest, start by getting to know the industry through a TET placement. Find a TET placement in the transport and logistics sector and see for yourself what the job looks like.

Want to hear more stories? Watch all the Hyppää kyytiin (Hop on board) videos.