Ionel: ‘Here I feel valued and am building my future’

Waiting days on end for salary or being suddenly fired. Romanian Ionel experienced it all in Belgium. His cousin from Rotterdam recommended AB Werkt to him. ‘That’s what I needed. A reliable party that pays on time and is always ready to help.’ Three weeks later, Ionel is working at Elbers Groen in Cuijk. ‘They teach me everything.’ 

Clearing weeds, mowing grass, pruning, planting – Ionel has plenty to do at Elbers Groen. He works there with both hand tools and electrical equipment like brush cutters and hedge trimmers. ‘I enjoy the variety in my work. ‘No day is the same,’ he says. Sometimes he works in the park, other times in the centre of Cuijk. He prefers the latter. ‘I like the bustle there.’ His favourite task? ‘That would be working with the brush cutter. For when I’ve had enough of that bustle. Then I put on my hearing protection and turn off my brain.’  

Think first, then do

Ionel enjoys working outdoors. ‘It’s healthy to be in the fresh air. Besides, the work is very rewarding. You see immediate results from what you do and know that you are contributing to the environment.’ He also appreciates manual work. ‘I’m one for buckling down, and it keeps me nice and fit.’ What is often underestimated is that this work requires insight, Ionel adds. ‘You need to know how many plants you have and calculate the intervals at which to plant them. So you need to keep your wits about you!  

A close-knit team

Ionel feels appreciated by his colleagues. ‘We always help each other. If you can’t figure something out, someone will explain it to you. ‘There is no rivalry and that makes it nice to work together,’ he says. The bond with his colleagues goes beyond work alone. ‘We do go out together once in a while, and I even met my girlfriend through a colleague. Recently, we moved in together. So I owe a lot to this job.’ His Romanian background has never been an obstacle. ‘The interaction is great. They teach me the tricks of the trade and I teach them to work harder,’ Ionel says laughing.  

The reliability of AB Werkt

AB Werkt played an important role in Ionel’s start in the Netherlands. ‘They helped me with practical matters, such as housing,’ he says. ‘Although the helpdesk is sometimes busy, I always got help when I needed it.’ Ionel personally recommends AB Werkt to others. ‘I recommended my brother and a friend to find work through AB Werkt too. A good secondment provider is important, especially if you are from another country. After all, you are looking for stability and a party you can trust. I found those here.’  

Future plans

‘Maybe one day I will start my own landscaping business here in the Netherlands. I know what hard work is, so I think I could be good it. Besides, there is plenty of work.’ What about Romania? ‘That is where I am building a house at the moment. That’ll be a nice place to return to, but for now I will stay here. Later, my children can then see where their dad grew up.’ His advice to others who want to work in the Netherlands? ‘Go for it. Here, you will get opportunities to develop yourself and build a better future. It’s worth it.   

If you would also like to discover how AB Werkt can help you find a job in which you can develop yourself, get in touch and discover the possibilities.