Nine Nokia Teens Picked to Build Playhouses at Nokian Kartanonranta After 60+ Apply

According to JM Suomi and Vesilahden-Tottijärvi 4H, more than 60 young people from Nokia applied to a June summer project to build playhouses at Nokian Kartanonranta; nine 14–16-year-olds were selected for the two-week scheme.

They will form three-person teams, set up temporary 4H businesses and construct the playhouses on site. JM Suomi is commissioning the work as a purchased service, while A-Insinöörit will provide construction drawings and planning support. The programme also includes entrepreneurship training and practical work-life skills.

Vesilahden-Tottijärven 4H director Riina Markkola said the response exceeded expectations. "We've never seen similar interest in our 4H association before," she added, and she said it was especially pleasing that the project attracted young people regardless of gender.

Tuomas Salopää, head of JM Suomi's Tampere business unit, said the aim is to offer a new kind of summer job: tangible work with their hands combined with entrepreneurial and workplace skills. "The applicant numbers show there is clearly demand for this kind of hands-on activity," he said.

Selected participants were enthusiastic about the chance to try entrepreneurship and learn about construction. Fifteen-year-old Iida said she applied because, despite little prior knowledge, the idea of starting an entrepreneurial path in construction appealed to her. Fourteen-year-old Nooa plans to save his earnings for a computer. Work begins in early June and runs for two weeks.