From (working) student to engineer

Ten-year director of sustainable matches

Over a decade ago, Frank Roeland observed that young engineers were increasingly struggling to make the right job choice. The result was a lot of turnover and changes in the first few years of their careers. This is not good for the development of a young engineer, but also unfortunate for an employer who invests a lot of time and energy in training young people. Frank thought it could be done better and founded Enginear. An innovative employment agency in construction and infrastructure that does things a little differently than other agencies.

With Enginear, we allow young engineers to make conscious choices through self-reflection, creating a lasting relationship with employers, Frank begins. "Our vision has not changed since its inception and is still super current. Over the years more and more challenges have been added that give our vision and way of working the wind in our sails. For example, the study of 'civil engineering' has broadened and evolved into the study of Built Environment. And that hasn't exactly made the connection with the professional field any easier. The inflow is also declining, while on the other hand the aging population continues. Just recently, the civil world has sounded the alarm bells."

Working Student

Enginear's unique approach is multi-pronged. "It all starts with sharing knowledge about the field directly in the target group," says Arjan de Graaf, co-owner of Enginear since seven years. "Annually, together with partners, we provide 45 workshops and trainings at 20 training institutes, mostly colleges and universities. This way, we come into contact with potential candidates from the first year of study, whom we can possibly offer a technical side job as a 'working student' to make an extra link with the business world. Students then experience in real life what it is like to work at an engineering firm, for example, instead of finding out only after their studies. We then invite graduates to make the step to a permanent job through us. That culminates in a career consultation, where we give the student a stage instead of a job posting being the focus. And that's really unique, and for the student it's also free and completely non-committal."

Career consultation

In the career counseling interview, Enginear asks the young engineer all the ins and outs, substantiated by tests and a huge dose of market knowledge. "That results in a model with information about the study and background, but also about personal style (behavior and attitude) and about motives," Frank continues. "From that mix we filter a program of requirements for the young engineer. What does a company, position and environment need to meet in order for the recent graduate to be in place? A substantially different approach than making a vacancy central." Arjan: "By zooming in so concretely, young engineers have their own profile in focus and come to the table much better with a future employer. Through our extensive network of more than 2,000 companies, we then look for a substantive and sustainable match. We draw up an employment contract and mediate the young engineer to the appropriate vacancy."

Success rate of 91%

Enginear focuses on students from the first year of college to young engineers with up to four years of work experience. "After that, surely you must have found a niche in our field," Frank believes. "Our unique approach means that 91% of the young engineers who start through us become permanent employees of a client after a year. That high success rate lies in making a substantive and sustainable match, where both parties are also satisfied after a year." Arjan: "That is the reason that we remain involved in the 'landing' and young engineers remain with us for the first year. We additionally provide training and education specifically applicable to the first year of their career, the transition from studying to working. This allows us to do business with all clients, from (semi-)governments and water boards to contractors and engineering firms. The added value of Enginear pays off handsomely. The client pays per hour worked. Our fee is included. After a year, the employer takes over the young engineer free of charge."