Riekus van der Westhuizen
Engineero made it possible
My name is Riekus, and I grew up in Pretoria, South Africa (SA). I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pretoria, where I earned my degree. After graduating, I worked at a Powerplant as a Systems Engineer, and later as a Project Engineer for a German company in SA known for its mixing and agitation equipment. I am now working as a Mechanical Systems Engineer at Nijhuis Industries.
How did you get in touch with Engineero?
Engineero reached out to me after I was referred to them by a friend. I was actively looking for a job in the Netherlands (NL) due to the limited growth opportunities in SA, especially when it comes to versatile engineering roles. In contrast, the NL offers a lot of development and a wide variety of projects, which really caught my interest.
My first interview was with Wouter Schrotenboer and Bjorn Markerink. They approached me for a specific project in their pipeline. The initial meeting was an introduction, while the second meeting focused on the Mechanical Engineer role and the project details. I had already decided to move to the Netherlands, and I chose Engineero because of the opportunity they offered. The project itself truly resonated with me.
How was the support from Engineero during this whole process?
The plan was to come over in July 2021. Engineero initiated the HSM Visa to the IND. After approval Engineero bought the plane tickets. In December the NL imposed new rules due to the lockdown and international flights were not allowed to fly in. I then flew to Germany and via there into the NL.
The first week was difficult because of the hard lockdown. I had to buy everything online. But you have to be flexible. Engineero helped me to get an apartment, wich was really nice. I know a lot of friends that don’t have places when they move to the NL. Then you either need to know people that you can stay at or have money to pay for the rent in the first few months, wich can be very expensive. I’m happy Engineero arranged that for me. The area I live in is nice. The Dutch people are quit welcoming and open to outsiders.
In February, I started working at Nijhuis Industries. I speak English with my colleagues, even though I work in a Dutch team. We walk every day at 12 o’clock, which is nice. Dutch people are more structured and disciplined in their work. Most people stick to their working hours, and there is less inequality. This means you have a better work-life balance, more free time (including walks), and a positive work environment. I would also like to develop my Dutch language skills, as it helps create a more personal relationship.
What's the difference between living in the NL vs. SA?
There are small differences. South Africa is a lot warmer, for instance. Another difference is that the Dutch eat less meat, which I had to get used to. The public transport is excellent, so if you enjoy travelling, it’s very easy to get around. The Netherlands also has outstanding infrastructure, and whatever you can think of, you can buy it here. There’s so much innovation. Overall, I would recommend working in the Netherlands. You just need to plan well and set realistic expectations.
Interested in working at Engineero?
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