Freedom, rain and results on the lawnmower

Sander Letterlé, owner of a landscaping and paving company in Kerkrade (CMV Letterle), was looking for a second operator for lawn mowing when he landed a major contract. ‘I had a good talk with AB Werkt,’ he says. ‘Then they suggested Roger Gorissen. They added that he had no experience. That didn’t seem like a problem to me. Anyone can handle a mower, you just have to like it. So I went for it. Roger came for coffee, we got along and he started shortly after.’

After a long career in the military and logistics, Roger Gorissen was ready for something completely different. ‘After the army, I had no idea what I wanted, what was available and what my skills were. I had several jobs through different employment agencies, but none of them agreed with me. I’d been a driving instructor and a bus driver for a while, which I loved, but I got tired of that too. In logistics, I actually lasted for quite a while until I got itchy feet. Inside such a concrete tower block, you’re practically isolated from the outdoors. And I found the idea of being outdoors, working in parks and gardens, more and more appealing.’

Groen-Doe-Dag

Roger visited the Groen-Doe-Dag (Gardening Day) in February and spoke to Dunja and Chris at the AB Werkt stand. ‘I visited other companies that day, of course, but had a good feeling about AB Werkt. After two months of doubting, I took the plunge. Yes, I’m going for it!’ So Roger went for an interview at the AB Werkt office in Beek. Already during that conversation, Dunja said she might have a job for him.

Guilty pleasure

‘That same afternoon, I was having coffee with Sander,’ Roger says laughing. ‘And two weeks later I started. ‘Riding on a lawnmower like this is a dream come true. Toys for big boys.’ For me, this is an excellent start in gardening, even if it’s a far cry from what I had in my mind. I thought I would first train as a landscaper or paviour or something similar. Maybe I’ll do that one day, but for now, I really like this.’

Freedom

Even though the mowers have no cabins and it’s rained more frequently and for longer periods this year than in other years, both men are happy. ‘You can dress for a rainy day and I don’t mind a little discomfort anyway,’ says Roger. “I haven’t been doing this work for very long, but I already find it a bit addictive. You see the results of your work straight away and it looks great when you’ve mowed the grass in a park. I don’t need to clock in and out. I have great music in my headphones. You can’t get more freedom than this in your work. I feel really lucky!’ Sander: ‘It doesn’t feel like a manager-worker relationship for either of us. We discuss where we are going every break. We look at the weather and adjust the work accordingly. We discuss whether to take the mower home or park it at the shop. And there is always time to have a chat while working if you meet an acquaintance. We both know quite a lot of people. That social aspect makes the work extra fun.’

AB Werkt right choice

The choice of AB Werkt was the right one for both men. Sander: ‘Chris came to see me at work. Took the time and asked what I needed. I had initially asked a self-employed person to ride with me, but the guy kept having excuses not to come. Roger has a stronger sense of responsibility. And if, for whatever reason, Roger is no longer willing or able to do this work, AB Werkt will arrange someone else.’