Tommy: ‘We really do it together’
Work planner Tommy van Arkel had just finished his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (Civiele Techniek) when he was approached by a staffing agency. Was he interested in working at Ballast Nedam? ‘A chat can’t hurt’, he thought.
And it didn't stop at a chat, because in November 2021, Tommy started as a work planner at Ballast Nedam Infra in Maarssen. After a year, he went on a world trip, but now Tommy is back at the old stomping ground.
Why did you come back to Ballast Nedam?
‘Right from the first interview, I had a great connection with the company and the people. I immediately mentioned that I was planning to take a trip around the world. My project manager fully supported it. I ended up traveling through Asia for four months. After that, I wanted to return as a work planner at Infra. Fortunately, that was possible, so I've been back since June 2023.’
‘Right from the first interview, I had a great connection with the company and the people. I immediately mentioned that I was planning to take a trip around the world. My project manager fully supported it. I ended up traveling through Asia for four months. After that, I wanted to return as a work planner at Infra. Fortunately, that was possible, so I've been back since June 2023.’
And, was it immediately like old times?
‘Yes, I immediately felt at home again. We start every day at 7 AM with coffee in the site cabin, and we also regularly have lunch together—work planners, pile drivers, machinists, ground workers and whoever else is on the construction site. It’s really nice. We also have a group chat with all work planners where we can ask questions or ask for help. I can also drop in on my other colleagues. Yes, we really do it all together here.’
What do you enjoy most about your job?
‘The work is very dynamic and has many different aspects, such as purchasing, planning and execution. My studies focused mainly on theory, but now I am very hands-on and working on the construction site. Thanks to my studies, I know most of the terms and techniques, but how a crane works, for example, is something I’m really only learning now. The role of a work planner is something you truly learn in practice. And I like that very much.’
‘Yes, I immediately felt at home again. We start every day at 7 AM with coffee in the site cabin, and we also regularly have lunch together—work planners, pile drivers, machinists, ground workers and whoever else is on the construction site. It’s really nice. We also have a group chat with all work planners where we can ask questions or ask for help. I can also drop in on my other colleagues. Yes, we really do it all together here.’
What do you enjoy most about your job?
‘The work is very dynamic and has many different aspects, such as purchasing, planning and execution. My studies focused mainly on theory, but now I am very hands-on and working on the construction site. Thanks to my studies, I know most of the terms and techniques, but how a crane works, for example, is something I’m really only learning now. The role of a work planner is something you truly learn in practice. And I like that very much.’
Where do you see yourself in a few years?
‘I'm not done learning in work preparation. But if, after some time, I feel the need for an extra challenge or something new, there are plenty of opportunities at Ballast Nedam. Maybe in a few years, I'll become a project manager. That sounds like something I’d like. And everything I'm learning now is also useful in that role. Will I still be working at Ballast Nedam in a few years' time? Yes, I think so. I'm really enjoying it here!’
What makes Ballast Nedam such a great place to work?
‘When I hear my former classmates talk about their employers, I think it's much more relaxed at Ballast Nedam. Less rigid and hierarchical. For example, I can talk to my director about football or other non-work-related topics. And a lot of attention is given to well-being and job satisfaction. You’re not just a number here, but a person. That makes it a really great place to work.’
‘I'm not done learning in work preparation. But if, after some time, I feel the need for an extra challenge or something new, there are plenty of opportunities at Ballast Nedam. Maybe in a few years, I'll become a project manager. That sounds like something I’d like. And everything I'm learning now is also useful in that role. Will I still be working at Ballast Nedam in a few years' time? Yes, I think so. I'm really enjoying it here!’
What makes Ballast Nedam such a great place to work?
‘When I hear my former classmates talk about their employers, I think it's much more relaxed at Ballast Nedam. Less rigid and hierarchical. For example, I can talk to my director about football or other non-work-related topics. And a lot of attention is given to well-being and job satisfaction. You’re not just a number here, but a person. That makes it a really great place to work.’
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?
