Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Connecto is an engineering and construction company whose strength lies in its people, deep know-how, and the agility to adapt quickly to change. Connecto operates across Estonia in the construction and maintenance of electricity, telecommunications and gas networks, and the group also has companies in Latvia, Lithuania and Finland. Today, Connecto employs nearly 400 people—most in technical roles, from interns to experienced engineers and site managers.
According to Connecto’s HR Manager, Külli Kaldma, it’s important to understand that while the organisation has operated in Estonia as two separate companies since 2025, the two entities continue to be guided by the same values and a shared people-first mindset. This structure allows for clearer focus and greater flexibility – yet as an employer, Connecto remains one team.
New employees are often pleasantly surprised by just how open and supportive Connecto’s internal culture is—something Kaldma says becomes clear very quickly in everyday collaboration. “People here genuinely look out for one another and share their knowledge, even across different regions. What’s also highly valued is that development doesn’t have to happen in big leaps—growing in your role is a natural, supported journey. Our lean management structure and fast decision-making give people a real sense of trust – we expect independent thinking, not simply following instructions. “
The past few years have been challenging for employers across the board, and Connecto has not been immune to an uncertain economic climate and changing labour market. According to Kaldma, this period has also been an important opportunity to learn. “We’ve come to understand very clearly that great projects alone don’t create a sense of security for people. Transparent communication, clear decisions, and the confidence that you’ll be supported—even in difficult moments—matter just as much. That’s why we’ve invested even more in leadership development and smoother ways of working, because it’s our leaders who shape our employees’ everyday sense of stability. “
She adds that it’s all about finding the right balance between flexibility and responsibility. “Not every role can be done remotely—field work and site operations require a physical presence. However, in office and support functions, we offer hybrid and remote work whenever possible. For us, it comes down to trust and clear agreements. When those are in place, it’s not about where the work gets done, but whether goals are met and the job is delivered with quality. “
Rapid technological progress is putting pressure on both companies and employees, but at Connecto, learning is a natural part of the job. Development happens primarily through mentoring, sharing experience, and working on more complex projects—much of it taking place in real time, in everyday work, as teams adopt and implement new solutions together. At Connecto, technology’s role is first and foremost to support people, making work safer and more efficient.
Career opportunities shaped by each employee’s interests and skills
“At Connecto, you can grow vertically—from a skilled trades role into site management, project leadership or a department head position—but you can also develop horizontally by moving between different fields. For experienced specialists, a career doesn’t necessarily mean a new job title. We shape opportunities around each employee’s interests and capabilities. Often, what motivates people most is meaningful, high-responsibility projects, greater decision-making freedom, and the chance to pass on their knowledge,” the HR Manager explains. “From a leadership perspective, one of the most effective practices has been pushing decision-making as close to day-to-day work as possible. Cutting unnecessary bureaucracy and giving people real responsibility—both on site and in the office—has increased engagement and accelerated decisions. It requires trust, but it also creates a clear sense that people’s contribution truly makes a difference. “
She notes that Connecto is the right fit for people who value both independence and teamwork—and who are ready to take ownership. A technical, fast-changing environment naturally suits those who want to keep learning and think proactively. It’s less suited to someone who expects a rigid framework, constant step-by-step guidance, and prefers to avoid responsibility. Kaldma emphasises that at Connecto, values are lived out in everyday actions. “Our values help ensure that decisions support our people and protect the company’s reputation. For example, on site we always choose safety first. If a tool or solution feels risky, we stop the work and find a safer approach—even if it means making changes to the plan. “
The same values also guide teamwork, where sharing experience, listening to one another, and mutual support are part of everyday life. This values-driven way of working is one of the key reasons Connecto has stayed strong for a quarter of a century—and it provides a solid foundation for the years ahead.
