Trainee Pascal: 'I want to learn as much as possible'

A traineeship at Ballast Nedam allows young talents to gain a lot of practical experience. Many different tasks come along, allowing trainees to discover what suits them best. We asked Pascal about his experiences and plans for the future.

Is the traineeship what you expected beforehand?

Yes, it has even exceeded my expectations. I expected that I would mainly learn a lot professionally, but in the end I was also able to develop on a personal level. I now know what it is like to work for a large corporate organisation, how to deal with setbacks and what it is like to work with different cultures. Of course, I also learned a lot in terms of professional skills. Because of the diversity of my traineeship, I can certainly apply this knowledge in my future career.

Can you tell us something about your work?

The traineeship is incredibly diverse. In two years, I am involved in several projects in both realisation and procurement. From A to Z I get to work on a project, which is really interesting. For me, that variety in my work is important. As a procurement officer, I have mainly been busy drawing up agreements, implementing improvements, establishing contacts with new partners and suppliers and maintaining relationships.

What are you most proud of?

From the Purchasing Department at Ballast Nedam Park & Connect, we have been busy improving and professionalising the department. Together with the team, we have managed to increase involvement in the projects, both during tendering and realisation. I am proud to have played my part in this. Besides, it is always nice to work on projects that you will get to drive past, under or over yourself in a few years' time.

Speaking of projects, how do you like working on Sint Maarten now?

It's one big adventure. I work together with a Turkish, Dutch and local colleagues from whom I can learn a lot. So many cultures are brought together, which means I learn a lot about working collaboratively, communicating and diverse cultures. We work very hard, so it is nice to see the progress at the airport. Besides, it's obviously great fun to spend longer periods of time on an island paradise. I feel more and more at home here!

If you were to work at Ballast Nedam for another five years, what would you like to do?

In the long term, I would like a management position, but of course I need to gain some extra years of experience first. I would also like to follow a part-time master's degree, in business administration. For now, I am gaining plenty of experience abroad!