Since 2022, Michaël Govaert has strengthened the Mourik team in the Ghent canal zone. Besides his work as an industrial cleaner, he is a real jack-of-all-trades: from cleaning and warehouse work to mechanical maintenance and repairs. Yet he started his career in a completely different sector. In fact, Michaël ran his own bakery for 32 years.
From motocross and bakery to Mourik
The passion for tinkering has been there from an early age. "When I was eleven, I started motocross. There it came in handy that I could work on my bike myself. In 2000 I even became Belgian champion and I also competed in the European championships." Perhaps he could have made mechanics his profession, but his career path took a different direction.
His parents owned their own bakery and so Michaël went to bakery school. He joined the business, where he was the third generation to work hard for 32 years. "After more than three decades, I started having doubts. At that time, I often watched the programme 'The dirtiest jobs in Flanders'. That did attract me. And one day I saw an ad from Mourik on Facebook. I decided to respond, got a phone call and was invited for an interview. It clicked immediately. Not long after, I sold the bakery and started here."
An extensive range of duties
His range of duties is perhaps just a little more extensive than other industrial cleaners. "I go along to cleaning projects, but can also often be found on site. From truck maintenance to repairing tank wash heads, I make sure all the equipment works and is ready for my colleagues."
"I also appreciate the freedom I get here. I get to help think about how we can do things differently. Moreover, I have been able to take numerous courses here. That makes you keep growing in your job."
To be honest, this doesn't feel like work to me, it feels like my playground.
Michaël concludes. "The switch still feels like the right choice. To be honest, for me, this doesn't feel like work, it feels like my playground. So if I may give a golden advice: follow your heart!"
