Young talent in editing

He’s only 19 years old, but he’s already traveling to different countries to install interiors on-site. After a year-long internship, Rafael was offered a contract with Harmeling Interiors. He hadn’t heard of the company before, and the field was new to him as well.

Behind the Scenes

“After finishing high school, I signed up for a training program to become a truck driver. But during the summer break before that program started, I went out every day with my father-in-law to install kitchens. Fun work! Much more fun, I thought, than sitting in a truck all day. Even before I started the program, I withdrew. I chose a different path: the BBL interior construction and furniture-making program at ROC van Twente. I completed this program before the 2019 construction industry break. Harmeling immediately offered me a great contract, and I started as an installation technician.”

Every day is different

“One day I’m ready to go at 5:00 a.m. to head out to a client in the south of the country, and the next day my work starts at 1:00 p.m. because we can’t get there any earlier. Of course, we’re scheduled, but as assembly workers, we pack the van ourselves with everything we need to get that day’s job done.

Recently, I got a call late at night asking if I could fill in for a sick colleague the next day and stay overnight. I was able to do it because I’m still pretty flexible due to my age and living situation, etc. Staying overnight is actually quite fun, and you earn a little extra money doing it. A nice bonus! The projects vary, too. I install interiors for the Pearle optical chain, but I also dismantle reading tables in a library that’s being renovated, for example. What appeals to me about working at Harmeling is the variety and definitely the collaboration with colleagues.”

Nice to meet you

“I’m from Rijssen but hadn’t heard of Harmeling before. Maybe because I wasn’t involved in this field at all. The organization is quite large. That took some getting used to. By now, I know everyone. Harmeling is a great employer. Employees are valued. We all pitch in together and make sure projects are finished on time. Young people get opportunities here. I’m a great example of that!”

Work in Switzerland

“I didn’t end up becoming a truck driver, but I’m getting somewhere. I’ve already been to Italy, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Switzerland, for example, I worked on stores for our regular client GrandVision. Those are great projects. Our workspace is, of course, on-site, in the optical shop. Everything is well prepared, and the work is seamlessly coordinated. The space is already empty and clean. We can get right to work. Swiss precision? We work long hours in Switzerland. But on Friday we’re home on time, and I can enjoy a long weekend!”

Seize the opportunity!

“When I graduated from high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I hear from many peers that they search online for what they like. My advice: walk into a company, go experience it. Start with an internship. There’s a major shortage of workers in construction, and there are plenty of opportunities for young people. I’m grateful for the chance I got at Harmeling!”