Planner Ygram ensures everything runs smoothly
He worked as a service manager in the hospitality industry for over eight years before making the switch to the construction industry in November 2024. Since then, Ygram Ypma has been a planner at Haitsma Beton, part of Ballast Nedam.
Ygram studied Civil Engineering for a short time, so the civil sector was not completely unfamiliar to him. It was just quite difficult to break into the industry without the right papers. Fortunately, Haitsma looked beyond diplomas.
How did that work?
‘I worked in the hospitality industry, but I was looking for more stability and regularity. Construction has always attracted me, but because I only have a pre-university diploma, I often didn't even make it through the first selection at large companies. I was allowed to come for an interview at a secondment agency, which was very nice. That way, I could show what I have to offer. In the end, I started at Haitsma on a secondment basis in November 2024.’
‘I worked in the hospitality industry, but I was looking for more stability and regularity. Construction has always attracted me, but because I only have a pre-university diploma, I often didn't even make it through the first selection at large companies. I was allowed to come for an interview at a secondment agency, which was very nice. That way, I could show what I have to offer. In the end, I started at Haitsma on a secondment basis in November 2024.’
And, how do you like it?
‘It’s going well. My secondment contract ends in June and I hope to be offered a permanent position. Fortunately, Haitsma shares that intention. I’m really glad I’ve had the chance to show what I can do. Do I regret not finishing my Civil Engineering studies? Sometimes, because applying for a job without a diploma is a lot harder. But I'm just more into learning on the job – like in the hospitality industry, and now as a planner.’
Tell us, what have you already learned at Haitsma?
‘A lot, because it was of course completely new to me. That's why it was nice that colleague Tiny took me under her wing during the first few weeks. She previously worked as a planner and explained exactly how to create a good production schedule for the piles and everything that comes with it. By the way, I didn’t expect there to be so much variation in piles: in terms of length, reinforcement and embedding provisions.’
‘It’s going well. My secondment contract ends in June and I hope to be offered a permanent position. Fortunately, Haitsma shares that intention. I’m really glad I’ve had the chance to show what I can do. Do I regret not finishing my Civil Engineering studies? Sometimes, because applying for a job without a diploma is a lot harder. But I'm just more into learning on the job – like in the hospitality industry, and now as a planner.’
Tell us, what have you already learned at Haitsma?
‘A lot, because it was of course completely new to me. That's why it was nice that colleague Tiny took me under her wing during the first few weeks. She previously worked as a planner and explained exactly how to create a good production schedule for the piles and everything that comes with it. By the way, I didn’t expect there to be so much variation in piles: in terms of length, reinforcement and embedding provisions.’
Why is good production planning so important?
‘Some pile moulds are almost 140 metres long. If not enough filling enters the mould during production, it can be very dangerous. We take all these factors into account in the production planning. In any case, safety plays a major role at Haitsma. We have a toolbox meeting every month where we discuss safety issues. For example, we recently talked about hydraulics and the dangers of high-pressure fluids.’
Sounds like you're having a good time among the piles??
‘For sure. I find what’s going on in construction really interesting, and the work environment here is great. You can easily walk up to anyone with a question – or just for a chat. So if it's up to me, I'll stay for a while!’
‘Some pile moulds are almost 140 metres long. If not enough filling enters the mould during production, it can be very dangerous. We take all these factors into account in the production planning. In any case, safety plays a major role at Haitsma. We have a toolbox meeting every month where we discuss safety issues. For example, we recently talked about hydraulics and the dangers of high-pressure fluids.’
Sounds like you're having a good time among the piles??
‘For sure. I find what’s going on in construction really interesting, and the work environment here is great. You can easily walk up to anyone with a question – or just for a chat. So if it's up to me, I'll stay for a while!’
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?
