Project Leader Thomas Celebrates 15th Work Anniversary
In 2007, Thomas Snelderwaard started as an intern at Ballast Nedam Infra on the North/South Line project. He enjoyed it so much that he completed two more internships at Ballast Nedam Infra during his MBO studies in Infrastructure Technology.
After graduating, Thomas joined a subsidiary of Ballast Nedam in May 2010 and also began his HBO studies in Civil Engineering. He continued to advance in civil engineering and is now a project manager at Ballast Nedam Road Specialties.
Tell us, how did you come to work at Ballast Nedam Road Specialties?
‘In 2010, I started as an employee in the planning department – responsible for the planning and control of production – at the then subsidiary Feniks Recycling. At the same time, I started my Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. I wanted to develop myself further, and Ballast Nedam offered to pay for my studies. Of course, I didn't say “no” to that. After a few years at Feniks Recycling, I wanted to move more into civil engineering and infrastructure. That's why I transferred to Ballast Nedam Road Construction in 2014, which is now called Ballast Nedam Road Specialties.’
‘In 2010, I started as an employee in the planning department – responsible for the planning and control of production – at the then subsidiary Feniks Recycling. At the same time, I started my Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. I wanted to develop myself further, and Ballast Nedam offered to pay for my studies. Of course, I didn't say “no” to that. After a few years at Feniks Recycling, I wanted to move more into civil engineering and infrastructure. That's why I transferred to Ballast Nedam Road Construction in 2014, which is now called Ballast Nedam Road Specialties.’
And how did your career at Ballast Nedam Road Specialties begin?
‘I started as a work planner. It was nice that I immediately gained the trust of my managers at the time. When things get tense, I don't run away – I try to find a solution. So I started to get more and more involved in the implementation. Apparently, they saw me as a good project leader because in 2017 I was asked to take on this position. I was only 26 at the time, so I was able to make great strides in a short period of time.’
What exactly do you do as a project leader?
‘In short, I make sure that the whole team works well together to carry out projects for clients and project owners, that everyone returns home safely in the evening, and that we deliver good quality. The work is quite varied, also because I always have several projects running at the same time. I am a project leader for the Northwest Netherlands region, so I travel a lot. From Purmerend to Leerdam and from Aalsmeer to Leimuiden.’
‘I started as a work planner. It was nice that I immediately gained the trust of my managers at the time. When things get tense, I don't run away – I try to find a solution. So I started to get more and more involved in the implementation. Apparently, they saw me as a good project leader because in 2017 I was asked to take on this position. I was only 26 at the time, so I was able to make great strides in a short period of time.’
What exactly do you do as a project leader?
‘In short, I make sure that the whole team works well together to carry out projects for clients and project owners, that everyone returns home safely in the evening, and that we deliver good quality. The work is quite varied, also because I always have several projects running at the same time. I am a project leader for the Northwest Netherlands region, so I travel a lot. From Purmerend to Leerdam and from Aalsmeer to Leimuiden.’
Which project are you most proud of?
‘We’ve already carried out so many beautiful projects that I find it difficult to choose. For example, over the past two years, we have been working on improving the accessibility of FloraHolland in Aalsmeer. Among other things, we have built a sustainable pedestrian bridge over the N231 with the longest wooden beam girder in the Netherlands. Really nice to work on. But I am also proud of the redevelopment of Green Park Aalsmeer into a sustainable business park. And of the major reconstructions that we have realised in a short time, such as on the N235 between Amsterdam and Purmerend and on the Vriezenweg in Leimuiden.’
You’ve been employed by Ballast Nedam for 15 years now. What are your plans for the next 15 years?
‘Well, I'm going to travel for four months with my girlfriend and dog in our campervan. After that, I'll see what happens. In any case, I have no plans to leave Ballast Nedam because I really like it here. However, I am thinking about a new step or challenge within our organisation, perhaps towards technical management or guiding starters. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities within Ballast Nedam.’
‘We’ve already carried out so many beautiful projects that I find it difficult to choose. For example, over the past two years, we have been working on improving the accessibility of FloraHolland in Aalsmeer. Among other things, we have built a sustainable pedestrian bridge over the N231 with the longest wooden beam girder in the Netherlands. Really nice to work on. But I am also proud of the redevelopment of Green Park Aalsmeer into a sustainable business park. And of the major reconstructions that we have realised in a short time, such as on the N235 between Amsterdam and Purmerend and on the Vriezenweg in Leimuiden.’
You’ve been employed by Ballast Nedam for 15 years now. What are your plans for the next 15 years?
‘Well, I'm going to travel for four months with my girlfriend and dog in our campervan. After that, I'll see what happens. In any case, I have no plans to leave Ballast Nedam because I really like it here. However, I am thinking about a new step or challenge within our organisation, perhaps towards technical management or guiding starters. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities within Ballast Nedam.’
Are you also interested in working at Ballast Nedam?
At Ballast Nedam, you can develop and become a little better every day. In the Netherlands and abroad. Together with almost 2,000 colleagues, we are committed to a future-proof living environment. Will you join our team to contribute to this?
