"If someone had told me ten years ago that I would work in the automotive sector, I wouldn't have believed it!"
Glenn smiles as he reflects on his early days at Emoss. His journey started with a work-based learning program, which eventually led to a permanent role within the company.
An unexpected choice
Glenn's career path didn’t always lead towards the automotive sector. Before joining Emoss, he worked in technical services at a bottling factory and as an electrician in greenhouse construction. However, something pulled him towards the automotive industry. “I was looking for something new and came across the idea of working in the automotive sector through Stagemarkt. The idea of turning my hobby into my job really appealed to me. I applied to Emoss and started the following week.”
What particularly attracted him to Emoss was the variety in the work. “I now work in production, pre-production, front frames, battery assembly, and sometimes I also do a bit of service. That variety keeps it interesting. Working on a production line wouldn’t be for me; it's too routine.”
Learning by doing
As a work-based learning program student at Emoss, Glenn pursued a Mechatronics Mechanic level 3 course, working four days a week and attending school one day. “It took some time to find the right program. A teacher from my secondary school recommended this path to me, and it turned out to be a good choice.”
At Emoss, Glenn found an environment where he had a lot of freedom to work independently. “Here, you’re given a manual, and then it’s: go ahead and make it. That suits me because I enjoy learning by doing. There's a lot of freedom here, and the work is varied. What I also like is that you can take time off whenever you need it.”
His tasks as a work-based learning student varied, but one specialty stood out. “A typical workday began with connecting PDUs to front frames – something that seemed very difficult at first, but after doing it several times, it turned out to be not that challenging.”
The combination of work and school was sometimes difficult. “It was hard to plan schoolwork, especially writing large reports, alongside my job. But over time, I got used to it and learned how to manage it better.”
From apprentice to permanent employee
After completing his work-based learning program, Emoss offered Glenn a permanent position. “Why look for something else if I’m happy here? I got a contract with a good salary and knew right away that I wanted to stay.”
The transition from apprentice to full-time employee was smooth. “There wasn’t much difference, except that more independence was expected from me and I was given more responsibility. Still, I work with the same level of care because everything is still checked by supervisors and PDI.”
His colleagues and the management team played a big role in this transition. “They supported me well where needed, and I was quickly welcomed into the team. That felt good.”
Job satisfaction and growth
In his current role, Glenn has the freedom to take initiative. “Opportunities are everywhere if you take the initiative, although you always need to ask for permission. The best part about working at Emoss is the collaboration with colleagues. The atmosphere is good, and the work is varied, so I don’t get bored easily.”
While much of his work is routine, there are moments that make him proud. “I got to help build the first Bucher and make some cables for it. Those are the moments when you feel proud of what you’re doing, even if you don’t always see immediate results.”
The culture and future
Glenn describes Emoss's company culture as “friendly and innovative.” “The atmosphere is good, and there’s always a focus on innovation. For the future, I want to continue developing and learning more about our products and services. I don’t have a specific goal in mind, but I’m open to new challenges. For now, I’m enjoying the moment.”
Advice for others
To others considering a work-based learning program, Glenn offers simple advice: “Don’t overthink it, just do it. I was also hesitant at first about whether I would enjoy it. But if you want to know, you just have to try it. If it’s not for you, you can always look for something else.”
With his experience, Glenn shows that with a bit of courage and the right attitude, you can build a successful career. “I’m happy with my choice and enjoy every day here. All you need is commitment and a curious mind!”
