NederlandsThomas has been committed to Actief Werkt! Technology for years. In 5 years he made great strides from junior project manager to branch manager. You can read here how Thomas experienced this successful development!
Over the years, Thomas has gained experience in various branches. That's how he started as Jr. Project manager within the Green sector, after which he made the switch to Installation Technology and developed into Sr. project manager. Thomas then made another great career move and can now call himself Branch Manager Painters. “I think I have most branches behind my name within the organization”, says a laughing Thomas Erdman.
from Jr. Project manager Green to Branch manager Painters
How it all started… “An old high school classmate who worked at First2find asked me if I wanted to take over his job. I came to have a cup of coffee in the building in Groningen . Afterwards it turned out to be not just a cup of coffee, but an immediate job interview. Finally Bastiaan, former director Actief Werkt! Techniek and owner First2find, asked if I wanted to work as a Jr. Project manager in Emmen in the Green sector. I did this for a total of six months.”
And then… “Because a colleague from installation technology got another job, I switched to installation technology. This is actually the longest I've done so far, three and a half years. Last June I became branch manager Painters.”
Thomas had the ambition to grow further and took the open vacancy with both hands to grow into branch manager. With a team of 9 FTE, the goal is to lift the Painter industry to a higher level. The goal is to be Actief at multiple locations and to broaden the industry. Moreover, the training part is becoming increasingly important when placing skilled workers in the right workplace.
“The Painters' department is already looking great, but of course it can always be better. I am someone who likes challenges. I think installation technology is one of the branches that really serves as an example for our organization. We already do all kinds of things within Installation Technology and this is a good example of how other sectors can work too. The experience I have gained within this industry is also well applicable to the Painters industry.”
What is Thomas most proud of? “When I worked in installation technology, we had to deal with a lot of job seekers (+/- 60 people) who were at a great distance from the labor market; People who were on welfare or who have never obtained a diploma. We have been able to give them a bright future through THS vocational training. Een follow training and go to work with the acquired knowledge. I even built a friendly relationship with some of them and see where they are now. I think that's great to see.”
Work atmosphere and entrepreneurship
“Sometimes colleagues almost feel more like friends.” Thomas told enthusiastically that everyone works hard, but above all they have a lot of fun. “That gives a feeling of home and is nice, especially if you work together for eight hours every day.”
In addition, the piece of independent entrepreneurship comes back in the conversation with Thomas and he says that this gives you many opportunities and freedom. Rather take a risk than act too late.
Thomas likes to pick up the phone to talk to you, believes in hard work and prefers to end the week with a 'vrijmibo'. “If you still have to earn your money on Friday afternoon, you haven't worked hard enough for the rest of the week, have you?” Thomas grins again.
Will you be Thomas's new colleague or do you also have growth ambitions? At Actief Werkt! there are plenty of possibilities. View all our vacancies here.