'Passion for technology'

The passion for technology has brought Tanja van Lelieveld and Bakker Sliedrecht together! Through the Bakker Bedrijfsschool she has taken three courses, from mechanic to technician. She now handles the planning for the outside assembly. Tanja talks about her 'career switch'.

Tanja: "Bakker Sliedrecht builds and maintains electrical installations for the maritime sector and industry. We do that for national and international customers. As a resource planner, it is my job to ensure that our mechanics are working at the right time in the right place on our projects at various locations."

Planning the 'outside assembly'

"We work where the ships are," says Tanja. "At the moment we are working on a project in Singapore, among others. We receive a request from project management in the department to make mechanics available. In consultation with the Head of Outdoor Assembly, we look at what needs to be done, and which technicians are available. That work is a nice challenge, to deploy the right group. It's a nice puzzle: everyone at work and a satisfied customer!"

Practical experience comes in handy

Tanja: "Estimating is an important part of my job: which mechanics are needed where to get the job done? A big advantage is that I can fall back on ten years of experience at Bakker Sliedrecht, a large part of which - eight years - was as a panel construction mechanic. Through the Bakker Business School I took a total of three MBO courses, mechanic, first mechanic and technician electrical installations and systems. During those studies, I also completed internal internships: in exterior assembly on ships, in our test department and in commissioning & service. In addition to my work in production, I also performed modification work on site. This experience comes in very handy in my current position: I know the work and I know the people. I know what it's all about!"

The transition from workshop to office

"I inherited my passion for technology from home," says Tanja. "Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly encouraged at school. Through a school fair, I got to know Bakker Sliedrecht and the Bakker Business School. I was eager to pursue a technical education and was immediately excited! After a tour of the workshop, things moved quickly and I started my work-study program in 2012." Tanja continues: "After I completed my MBO level four training in 2019, I started looking further within the company. I had ambition and my current position became vacant. After a short trial period it was certain and I made the right move, from workshop to office."

Ad hoc and personal

Tanja: "I am part of a great team. The Head of Outdoor Installation has known the company and the technicians for a long time; he takes care of the daily business. The Work Planner places the orders and ensures that the technicians have the right materials on time and can get on with their work. I myself keep the schedule and perform all kinds of administrative tasks. It is very broad. We work on different projects and ad hoc situations often arise! Because we sit together, are attuned to each other and know what our tasks are, we can switch quickly and provide assistance. The mechanics in outside assembly are often scattered around project sites, so they don't see each other as often. We do our best to keep everyone up to date on things going on. For example, we inform via e-mail, but we also regularly call or stop by when they are on site. Our door is always open. This provides just a little more personal contact, which I personally find very nice and important."

Bakker Sliedrecht always offers opportunities

"Through my internal training I know several departments and have gotten to know many people," Tanja concludes. "I know what needs to be done and I know who can do it. As a logical consequence of my training, I could also have continued in engineering. The good thing about Bakker Sliedrecht is that there are always opportunities, both for training and options to grow internally. I have no plans in that direction at the moment. I am having a good time and enjoy going to work! Who knows, maybe I'll continue learning in the future; my passion for technology keeps itching."