'Hijacking employees? We'd rather let our own people grow'

An hour after graduating, industrial engineer Nico De Meulemeester went to work for Willy Naessens. That was in 1994. 'Most of the companies we looked up to then have since disappeared. Willy Naessens Group, on the other hand, has experienced exponential growth,' says De Meulemeester.

Colleague Tineke Devos has only been working here for a few years. 'In 2020, I started as a driver. One day I made the comment that I would quite like to do dispatching. ‘Why don't you try it?’ was the reply. And lo and behold, gone was my steering wheel (laughs).'

Getting opportunities to change your career direction: is that typical of the culture at Willy Naessens Group?
Nico De Meulemeester: Absolutely. Willy Naessens Group likes to give its own people opportunities. Why look for a new dispatcher externally when we have someone internally who knows the job content, the drivers and the house? I myself started as a draughtsman in what was then a small construction company. Because I was allowed to grow with the organisation, I am now Head of Construction Execution at an international company with 2,500 employees.'

To grow, you often need new skills too. How do you ensure that people have the right skills?
Nico De Meulemeester: Those who show ambition and initiative are always noticed. Such people can then make use of our Willy Naessens Academy, which organises all kinds of education and training courses: sometimes customised coaching, sometimes fixed routes. This way, employees can continue to learn and grow. I think of a colleague who initially worked as a technical draughtsman for a few years, but got bored with that. With the right education and training in communication and leadership, he became a project manager, and even later he went on to lead the engineering department. Being able to keep such profiles happy is an enormous added value for the company.

By the way, not everyone has to be burningly ambitious; many employees just want to keep doing what they are doing. The Willy Naessens Academy is there for them too, with training courses to help them grow within their current position.
 

Are you still finding enough people to fill all the positions? Many companies complain that they cannot find the right profiles.
Nico De Meulemeester: This is less of a problem for us, precisely because we like to give our own people opportunities. Their potential and ambition are more decisive than their diplomas. Moreover, you know in advance who you are dealing with. So why would you start poaching people from other companies?

Tineke Devos: It is also a huge advantage that here you are only judged on your capacities. I have piercings and a striking hair colour; that was not appreciated at a previous employer. At Willy Naessens Group, nobody looked up at that.

Nico De Meulemeester: True. In the entrance hall there is a portrait of Willy made up of photos of all employees. That's what we stand for: everyone is unique, but we have the passion for the company in common. That attracts people and makes them want to stay with us. Tineke Devos: Moreover, a lot is negotiable; I suggested starting my shift earlier to be with my son in the evening. And that was possible.

Nico De Meulemeester: We always try to listen to such concerns. And often it's a win-win; we now have a dispatcher who is available early in the morning to deal with potential problems and can then take care of her little son in a timely manner. Willy Naessens Group is a company that also takes everyone's personal situation into account. The closeness and humanity of the family to help you with this is an example for many companies.

What advice would you give to young starters at Willy Naessens Group?
Nico De Meulemeester: Show yourself! Work hard and you will be noticed. Shape your ambition yourself and get support to do so. The opportunities for young people are many. But also be patient. Sometimes people want to grow very quickly, only to quickly want something else. Career planning is therefore not a luxury. But the most important thing is that you have enough appetite on Sunday evening to get going again the next morning. An active career lasts quite a long time, so make sure you never leave work reluctantly.

Photo’s: © switn