blog
Learning by doing. Everything starts with a first work experience and, no, we don’t mean an internship. We are talking about a valuable traineeship as an official first job, the opportunity for recent graduates to gain expertise in different departments. It has already been proven that this set-up works, stimulates personal growth and contributes to the success of our group.
But what do the trainees think? Let's ask three of them, Assistant Project Managers who joined us after their studies.
Rob Vandeweyer
Why Smulders?
“I was looking for a niche business, I thought it would be challenging. Steel construction and building in water had already caught my attention during my studies. For me, Smulders came out on top because it really feels like a family business. During the interviews I had the impression workers were listened to and that there was room for discussion.”
What is your trajectory?
“During the six months I was getting to know the company, I worked at the Purchasing Department in Arendonk and Supply Chain and Process Engineering in Hoboken. After my induction, I started as an Assistant Project Manager in the St. Nazaire project team. In filling this position, I was able to draw on the connections and background knowledge I had gained as part of my induction process. I feel I have an impact on the finalisation of the project”.
What about your further ambitions?
“My traineeship ended a year and a half ago. For the time being, I hope to continue working as an Assistant Project Manager. I also want to continue learning and hope to be able to work on many more challenging projects. At the moment I am very happy with the work I am given to do.”
Jens Van Loenhout
Why Smulders?
“The offshore wind industry already caught my attention when I was still studying at the University of Antwerp. Smulders stood out with its impressive presence in that market, the huge international projects which are largely started up close to home and the offshore opportunities. After several job interviews and an interview with another Assistant Project Manager, I was completely convinced.”
What is your trajectory?
“I started at a smaller yard where I was allowed to do assisting tasks for the E-cages of the Yunlin project, I had plenty of contacts within the company and learned about the construction of an offshore foundation. After that, I worked at Purchasing and Logistics as part of my traineeship and then rolled into the St. Nazaire project as Assistant Project Manager in charge of the start-up of the offshore commissioning activities. My traineeship is now finalised and I am working offshore to follow up on the commissioning for the St. Nazaire project.”
What about your further ambitions?
“In the future, I look forward to further challenging projects and I'm sure the experience I am looking to gain will follow automatically. In particular, the knowledge of all kinds of technical matters that take place within Smulders, in order to be able to carry out a project from A to Z. I have learned by now that Smulders has such a great diversity of jobs that I am sure to find enough realistic ambition and motivation in the coming projects.”
Thomas Huybrechts
Why Smulders?
“It was a deliberate choice because of their good reputation in terms of corporate culture, as well as my interest in offshore and the international opportunities.”
What is your trajectory?
“This is the 4th department I am exploring since I started this traineeship. The first place was in Production in Poland, then I joined Process Engineering in Hoboken, after that I got to know the Purchasing Department in Arendonk, and now I am working in Supply Chain again in Hoboken. After my traineeship there may be an opportunity to go to Poland for six months to follow up a project.”
What about your further ambitions?
“Taking on plenty of challenges. I am looking forward to the projects ahead. Six months in Poland would be great. My dream job is Project Manager. My dream project ‘construction’ and then the partial ‘follow-up of an offshore platform’ once it is in operation. Continuing to grow, learning from people and departments and managing projects, I love it.”
