Stefan Buitendijk

"Things are so huge and beautiful"

At HFG’s construction yards, often hundreds of people are working together on the most complex of offshore structures. An important part of this work is done by skilled craftsmen with a good eye for detail, practiced hand and a strong sense of responsibility.

One of these craftsmen is Stephan Buitendijk. After completing school, Stephan followed a vocational training program focused on metal working. He spent his mandatory three-week internship at HFG, after one of his teachers tipped him off about the company.

Next, Stephan began a two-year training program to become a constructive bench fitter. As part of this program, he now works at HFG four days a week. A teacher visits him on site every week for theoretical classes such as maths, technical drawing, and materials sciences.

Stephan’s work is diverse, allowing him to try various techniques. In addition, his colleagues are good fun and so are four more of his classmates who are currently also working at HFG. Stephan will graduate in 2012 and HFG will most likely offer him a job.

“What I like best here is that we are building these giant structures. It’s about creating a thing of beauty out of nothing, and things at HFG are just so huge and beautiful. I just have to get my hands on them! Besides, I believe there is room for growth at Heerema, particularly if you’re motivated. And I am very motivated, because I want to make some progress in my career.”

“At Heerema, when you work hard and do a good job, there are lots of opportunities to progress and develop. I had no idea when I was a first-year apprentice welder, that I would go on to become a welding engineer. I made the most of the opportunities that came my way and Heerema has given me the best of support. Time off to study, tuition fees paid for, and all the guidance and advice I could wish for from established engineers and staff members.”