“I’m always looking for ways to improve how we work together by making better use of digitalisation and data”

 

Teija Inkilä’s work combines digital services, evidence-based decision-making, artificial intelligence and collaboration between authorities. What matters most to her, however, is continuous learning and developing shared ways of working at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

My work has taken me from negotiation tables at the European Commission to the AI Act. At the same time, the Vera information system, which is used by occupational safety and health inspectors, has found its way around the world. I develop our operations with a focus on digital services, evidence-based decision-making, AI and collaboration across public administration.

My days are made up of leading projects, expert work and collaboration between authorities. I’m always looking for ways to improve how we work together, especially by making better use of digitalisation and data.

My career path has been anything but straightforward. I have worked as an internal courier, a strawberry picker, a cleaner, a childminder, a factory worker, a teacher, a content creator, a coordinator and a project manager. My educational background combines the humanities and administrative sciences, a mix that has turned out to be surprisingly effective in practice.

I joined the ministry when a position opened up in Tampere. It felt as if it had been tailored just for me. I started in a project that involved building an information system for occupational safety and health inspectors. Since then, my responsibilities have grown alongside my work, as has my enthusiasm for development.

One of my largest projects has been the Vera system, which now contains more than 250,000 inspection reports. We have talked about it to international audiences and it has sparked interest in Sweden, Denmark and even China. I have also worked on Horizon Europe projects, and that’s how I ended up with my first-ever laptop with a French keyboard. That alone was an adventure!

One particularly memorable moment was when Minister Paula Risikko carried out a test inspection using Vera during the 40th anniversary celebrations of occupational safety and health administration.

I love the variety in my work and the fact that I’m always learning something new. The ministry is a supportive place to work. I have a skilled group of colleagues whose diverse perspectives make the work even more meaningful. Conversations with them about the future of work are especially rewarding – our viewpoints complement each other.

Teijä Inkilä
Senior Specialist