[column]This may be the best group in years!
One of the distinguishing pillars of Van der Ende Straal- en Schilderwerken is certainly the recruitment and selection of new employees. But to hire a class of juniors every year is quite ambitious. We asked Peter van der Ende, responsible for employee recruitment and selection, why this topic is so high on the agenda every year.
“We employ a fantastic core of painters and gritblasters. Piece by piece, I have personally hired the men. They are the calling card of our company. Working hard with intelligence is a plus, but social behavior within the group is at least as important. These are elements on which people are ultimately selected.
Years ago, we saw the average age increasing. We then initiated a focus to recruit young employees aged 18 to 21. [/column]
[column]We have been doing this every year since then. Meanwhile, we manage to keep the average age around 38. Recruitment and selection is done through a fixed pattern of advertisements and personal recruitment through existing staff members in early spring. The young candidates do not have to have any professional knowledge; we are going to teach them just that. Although a striking trend is that many young gezel house painters are now applying due to the crisis in the construction industry. I assess the young candidates on appearance and attitude, enthusiasm and statements during the intake interview.
We offer the best 10 a contract at the end of the interview. Overjoyed, they go back to mother. Don’t forget that they will earn 100 euros more in net weekly earnings than the legal minimum. And that increases progressively in subsequent years. We make high demands, and that includes good rewards. By the way, we hired 8 juniors this year, but it might be the best group in years. [/column]
[column]Of course, we try to maintain the enthusiasm through a lot of personal guidance. They receive a 2-day theory course at the company and go into practice with the help of an adult professional.
The first year still turns out to be the most difficult year. Many of the boys have no real work experience. Getting up at the crack of dawn every day and coming home at 6 o’clock in the evening is extremely hard, especially during the first year. This is one of the main reasons that just 50% eventually drop out. But those who persevere are the tigers we are looking for. After about 5 years they are mature professionals with ditto rewards.
A rewarding result to see the boys grow in skill and loyalty to the company.
Direction 2013 is ready to go.”[/column]