Stefan Lauvli Schley

Stefan Lauvli Schley

Offshore to aluminium

Schley completed his master’s degree in cybernetic engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim in summer 2005.

“Cybernetic engineering deals with the control of all possible processes and the means to do it, for example robots, rockets, boats, chemical processing, etc.,” he explains. During his last year at NTNU, Schley fulfilled his master’s project by building a simulator for oil and gas well streams in pipelines. He wrote his master’s thesis for FMC Kongsberg Subsea.

“I found subsea work and the offshore milieu very interesting and fulfilling,” he says in retrospect.

Ironically, when courted by Hydro during a 2003 recruiting campaign, Schley also got interested in a summer internship at the Årdal aluminium plant.

Lasting impression

“When it was time to look for a job there were many attractive alternatives, including a Hydro trainee position in aluminium,” he says.

Schley got numerous job offers.

“The reason I chose the Hydro job was largely due to the positive internship experience. It was then that I learned just how exciting and challenging it is to make aluminium. Besides, I knew what a good working environment it is.

“Hydro offered good conditions and that the trainee position provided outstanding career opportunities and the chance to develop.”

Good start

Schley started in Technology & Operational Support (T&OS) at Årdal in August 2005.
 
”I moved here with my wife, an architect, and who also got work with a small and solid architectural firm,” says the half-Norwegian/half-German native of Oslo.

The first year, Schley worked in the Process Control group and was involved in several projects within development and verification of control system that Hydro uses in aluminium production.

“It was very compatible with what I’d studied, regulating technology,” he says.

German experience

In August 2006, Schley went to work at the Rheinwerk plant in Germany for about five months.

“I worked with with electrolysis for four months and one month at the casthouse. Germany was fantastic from the perspective of my professional development and really inspired me in respect to my present job.

“I got to see the practical side of all the theory I’d become accustomed to at T&OS and it was inspiring to work with people, not just computers.”

Schely presently works as a project engineer in T&OS and will also work within Performance Management Support (PMS) ”where I hope to get more contact with the various production plants and operations than I’ve previously had.”

Other cultures

“One thing I really like about Hydro is the chance to travel around and get familiar with other cultures from a business perspective,” Schley says.

For the time being, he is content to be in Årdal.

“The nature is amazing here. Skiing, incredible mountain hikes and waterfalls are virtually out your back door.”