'I most appreciate the personal guidance'
Ruben started as a Process Engineer at Scania in Meppel. Now he is working as a Global Process Engineer at Scania in Sweden. "It's a nice idea that I have a direct influence on what the new trucks will look like.
How it began
Actually, I always wanted to work in engineering. I was broadly interested and in Delft I studied mechanical engineering. During my graduation period I was approached by someone from NextGen. I often received messages, but this one was different. First, it came from Machiel, one of the two founders of NextGen, which I already liked. And this was a very personal message; I could tell that he had really immersed himself in me and my profile.
Then the name Scania came up and things got really interesting. We had good conversations, sometimes just in a café, and even before I graduated I got a permanent contract and could start working as a Process Engineer. I could write my thesis in the evening...
At Scania
At Scania
At Scania I was immediately thrown in at the deep end. Of course you get really good guidance, but the first months were mainly about figuring things out. Which assignments appeal to me? Which processes do I find interesting? I was given plenty of time to get to know the people and processes within the company.
I ended up focusing on the Paint Shop. Put more simply, the paint shop, the painting of individual parts for the trucks Scania builds. All the parts that are attached to the cab are done here. I had no experience at all with that; a paint process is a very chemical thing. But the process around it is mechanical, so that's what I was going to focus on.
We work here with skids, which are constructions from which parts are hung that will be painted by our robots. This is largely automated, but of course it has to be done as efficiently as possible. That is what I am doing; I am the point of contact for everything concerning these skids. And when new parts are thought up at headquarters in Sweden, it is up to me to think about how they will then be painted and what it takes to do that well. From adjusting robots to instructing people. I have a direct influence on what new trucks will look like, because if I say we can't paint new parts properly, they are redesigned. That's a really nice idea, being so involved in the design process.
At Scania
At Scania I was immediately thrown in at the deep end. Of course you get really good guidance, but the first months were mainly about figuring things out. Which assignments appeal to me? Which processes do I find interesting? I was given plenty of time to get to know the people and processes within the company.
I ended up focusing on the Paint Shop. Put more simply, the paint shop, the painting of individual parts for the trucks Scania builds. All the parts that are attached to the cab are done here. I had no experience at all with that; a paint process is a very chemical thing. But the process around it is mechanical, so that's what I was going to focus on.
We work here with skids, which are constructions from which parts are hung that will be painted by our robots. This is largely automated, but of course it has to be done as efficiently as possible. That is what I am doing; I am the point of contact for everything concerning these skids. And when new parts are thought up at headquarters in Sweden, it is up to me to think about how they will then be painted and what it takes to do that well. From adjusting robots to instructing people. I have a direct influence on what new trucks will look like, because if I say we can't paint new parts properly, they are redesigned. That's a really nice idea, being so involved in the design process.
About NextGen's help
When I had just graduated, I was very introverted, introverted and insecure. NextGen really helped me to express myself better, for example with the Professional Personal Development trainings. At first that seemed very woolly and boring, but it has helped me enormously. I have realized what I can do, I have developed as a person and have become more self-assured and self-confident. In addition, I know very well what I cannot do, which is not unimportant. I used to be afraid to start something new. Soon I will leave for Sweden for at least a year to work for Scania. I think that says it all.
I also followed the Green Belt program. This allows you to continue learning after your studies. These are very relevant things that are directly applicable in the work. One of my assignments was to do a savings project. That worked out quite well; we are now saving five million a year.
But perhaps the thing I appreciate most is the personal guidance. Everyone within NextGen knows me and is very nice to deal with. I also haven't seen a place among friends and former classmates where the guidance was so good, even in thinking about the future and the steps I still want to take. It's what sets NextGen apart from others. Combined with how Scania works, the whole picture is right for me. Everyone wants to move forward and is open to change. Continuous improvement is what it's all about. And that is what I am going to do in Sweden in the coming year. Nice.
'I most appreciate the personal guidance'
Ruben started as a Process Engineer at Scania in Meppel. Now he is working as a Global Process Engineer at Scania in Sweden. "It's a nice idea that I have a direct influence on what the new trucks will look like.
How it began
How it began
Actually, I always wanted to work in engineering. I was broadly interested and in Delft I studied mechanical engineering. During my graduation period I was approached by someone from NextGen. I often received messages, but this one was different. First, it came from Machiel, one of the two founders of NextGen, which I already liked. And this was a very personal message; I could tell that he had really immersed himself in me and my profile.
Then the name Scania came up and things got really interesting. We had good conversations, sometimes just in a café, and even before I graduated I got a permanent contract and could start working as a Process Engineer. I could write my thesis in the evening...
At Scania
At Scania
At Scania I was immediately thrown in at the deep end. Of course you get really good guidance, but the first months were mainly about figuring things out. Which assignments appeal to me? Which processes do I find interesting? I was given plenty of time to get to know the people and processes within the company.
I ended up focusing on the Paint Shop. Put more simply, the paint shop, the painting of individual parts for the trucks Scania builds. All the parts that are attached to the cab are done here. I had no experience at all with that; a paint process is a very chemical thing. But the process around it is mechanical, so that's what I was going to focus on.
We work here with skids, which are constructions from which parts are hung that will be painted by our robots. This is largely automated, but of course it has to be done as efficiently as possible. That is what I am doing; I am the point of contact for everything concerning these skids. And when new parts are thought up at headquarters in Sweden, it is up to me to think about how they will then be painted and what it takes to do that well. From adjusting robots to instructing people. I have a direct influence on what new trucks will look like, because if I say we can't paint new parts properly, they are redesigned. That's a really nice idea, being so involved in the design process.
About NextGen's help
About NextGen's help
When I had just graduated, I was very introverted, introverted and insecure. NextGen really helped me to express myself better, for example with the Professional Personal Development trainings. At first that seemed very woolly and boring, but it has helped me enormously. I have realized what I can do, I have developed as a person and have become more self-assured and self-confident. In addition, I know very well what I cannot do, which is not unimportant. I used to be afraid to start something new. Soon I will leave for Sweden for at least a year to work for Scania. I think that says it all.
I also followed the Green Belt program. This allows you to continue learning after your studies. These are very relevant things that are directly applicable in the work. One of my assignments was to do a savings project. That worked out quite well; we are now saving five million a year.
But perhaps the thing I appreciate most is the personal guidance. Everyone within NextGen knows me and is very nice to deal with. I also haven't seen a place among friends and former classmates where the guidance was so good, even in thinking about the future and the steps I still want to take. It's what sets NextGen apart from others. Combined with how Scania works, the whole picture is right for me. Everyone wants to move forward and is open to change. Continuous improvement is what it's all about. And that is what I am going to do in Sweden in the coming year. Nice.
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