Articles
Published
06 August 2026
Last Updated
11 September 2026
2 min read
David, Bao and Mathias started working at DS Stålkonstruktion at a young age and now help erect steel structures on projects throughout Scandinavia.
Life as a travelling steel erector is not a typical nine-to-five job. In return, it offers major construction projects, new destinations and a working life filled with responsibility, development and strong camaraderie.
David Holt Larsen is 23 years old and started at DS Stålkonstruktion as a bolt assistant when he was 15. He has now been a travelling steel erector for three years and has worked in Norway, Sweden and Greenland.
Bao Hansen has never worked anywhere other than DS Stålkonstruktion. He is now 22 years old and primarily travels around Denmark and Sweden.
Mathias Skou Jensen is 28 years old and, like David, has been a steel erector for almost three years. He loves that the job takes him to so many different places around the world – including Norway, Sweden and Germany.
The three are among our travelling steel erectors who ensure that steel structures are erected and buildings constructed every day. What they have in common is that they began their working lives at DS Stålkonstruktion at a young age and are now part of a strong team where there is room for responsibility, development and great camaraderie.
Here you can learn more about them and why working as a steel erector is such a great job.
As the son of Torben Larsen, who has worked at DS Stålkonstruktion as an erection manager for 26 years, it is perhaps no surprise that David’s career has also taken him into the world of steel erection.
He started as a bolt assistant and accepted when he was offered the opportunity to join a project at Northvolt in Sweden.
“I thought it might be fun, and I’ve just carried on ever since.”
Since then, David has worked on projects including a control tower in Greenland, a tank farm in Kalundborg and a major project in northern Sweden.
“No two structures are alike. You constantly have to think about the task and find solutions.”
It is precisely this variety that he appreciates most.
A project in Greenland made a particular impression, as the team had to wait several days for custom-made tall nuts.
“Back home, you can buy them straight away. In Greenland, a local blacksmith had to make them.”
The work involves many hours on the road and periods away from home.
“When you are away for 10–14 days, it matters a great deal that you work well together. We have a really good team.”
One of the things that surprised David most was the strong focus on safety.
“We complete many courses and certifications. It gives us a good understanding of why we work the way we do.”
He came straight from upper secondary school himself, but according to David, there are many different routes into working as a travelling fitter.
“If you enjoy working with your hands, you can learn it. People are good at helping one another, so you quickly become part of the team.”
Just like David, Bao Hansen also started at DS Stålkonstruktion assembling bolts. He was around 15 when he began as a bolt boy alongside three friends.
After completing his Higher Preparatory Examination, he was asked whether he would like to try erection work. It marked the beginning of a career he has never regretted.
“I haven’t looked back since.”
A typical working day for the fitters begins on the construction site at 7 am. They then work until 7 pm before returning to the hotel.
“Our working days are 12 hours long, but the time passes so quickly. That has really surprised me. When we are busy with something, I do not think about the time at all.”
Although Bao has now worked as a fitter for around three years, there are still aspects of the job that he has to overcome. On a project in northern Sweden, he had to work 35 metres above the ground.
“I was a little nervous the first time because it is very high, but I simply avoided looking down. Then it was fine.”
At the same time, he knows that help is always close at hand.
“Everyone is really friendly and keen to help. If there is something I cannot work out, I can just ask some of the more experienced people, and they will come up with a solution.”
For Bao, team spirit is crucial.
“Of course, there can be bad days when it is raining and nothing fits. But otherwise, we get on well with each other. I think that is important, because otherwise it would not be enjoyable to go to work.”
And although the job involves long hours, many miles and working in all kinds of weather, it suits him well.
“I am home at weekends and can play football. I have no plans to do anything else.”
What many of the installers have in common is that they thrive in a fast-paced working environment with freedom and responsibility, and colleagues they can rely on.
For Mathias Skou Jensen, it is particularly the fast pace and the opportunity to quickly see the results of his work that motivate him.
“You arrive at an empty site, and a few days later there is an almost completed building.”
When Mathias obtained his HGV licence and the opportunity arose to become an installer, he had no doubt that this was the path he should take.
“I love that we get to travel around the world and experience so much. It is great that we are so independent and solve problems as they arise out in the field.”
For Mathias, good craftsmanship and a good working environment go hand in hand. There must be room for collaboration, good humour and a focus on the task. Like Bao, he also highlights working in all kinds of weather as part of the job. It gives you experiences that stay with you.
One of the projects that made the greatest impression on him was an assignment on the Norwegian island of Selbjørn, where he worked last winter.
“We had to take two ferries to reach the island, and the journey involved both snow and rain – and it was incredibly cold. I will never forget it.”
It is precisely this variety that keeps motivation high.
“One day you might build a small indoor riding arena, and the next it could be an enormous logistics centre. I never thought I would be involved in construction projects of this scale.”
Could you see yourself working as a steel erector at DS Stålkonstruktion? View our current vacancies.
Learn more about working as a steel erector.
About the Author
With a background in journalism and service management, Cecilie is well equipped to contribute to the digital communication across the companies in DS Gruppen. She brings a creative touch to her communication while keeping a firm focus on the facts, whether she is working with internal or external communication, employee profiles or project news. Cecilie also brings previous experience with newspaper articles, podcasts, video and other areas of journalism.
