Embracing internationalisation came with various advantages at Econvert, according to its HR advisor Renée Katuin.
In a recent conversation with the local job platform for internationals Make it in the North, Katuin said that the atmosphere at Econvert resembles that of a close-knit family.
Established in 2012 with a primary focus on anaerobic wastewater treatment, Econvert has evolved into a prominent contractor specialising in biological wastewater treatment and biogas conditioning. Over time, the company has embraced increasing internationalization and is now recognized by the IND as a sponsor for candidates from outside the EU.
Katuin attests that Econvert has greatly benefited from its diverse workforce. “I think we benefited because people bring their own experiences. Every country is handling wastewater treatment differently. So what we see is everyone bringing their own talents, and that really helps us as a growing company. With different cultures and different nationalities, we see this as one of our strong suits,” Katuin remarked.
Despite the internationalization success, Katuin acknowledges that one significant challenge faced by their international employees is accommodation. In response, the company actively assists its employees in finding suitable housing.
Regarding differences between internationals who studied in the Netherlands and those who didn’t, Katuin notes that while the former group may be more familiar with Dutch culture, the latter doesn’t encounter significant struggles. Econvert supports its international employees by offering Dutch courses and allocating time for employees to attend them. Although English is the primary language during meetings and for posting vacancies, making an effort to speak Dutch is appreciated.
Econvert has implemented an onboarding program to facilitate the smooth integration of new hires into the company. Katuin emphasizes that what sets working at Econvert apart from companies in the Randstad area is the opportunity to be part of a large project from start to finish. The company’s non-hierarchical structure fosters a familial atmosphere, distinguishing it from larger companies in urban centres where employees might only contribute to smaller aspects of projects, potentially missing out on a comprehensive understanding of project intricacies.
“We’re not really a hierarchical company with different levels. We’re more like one family,” said Katuin.
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