Mourik plays a role in the industrial maintenance of various industrial sectors in petrochemicals, power generation and steel industries, among others. Our people are pioneers of the future in our port. We are happy to share their stories about this dynamic world. Jolinda Wissink, HR Manager at Mourik Industry, tells her story.
Opportunities
"I come from the east of the Netherlands, but ever since I moved to Rotterdam for my studies, I haven't left. During my undergraduate studies in business administration, I realized that I was more drawn to the social aspects, so I pursued a master's degree in sociology afterward. I really want to understand people, find out what suits them, but I'm also business-minded. That's why HR fits me so well; it allows me to combine both aspects.
This also comes in handy at Mourik, as many different groups of people work there. Thanks to my sociology studies, I learned how to analyze how they interact within a company. From an HR perspective, I look at where their opportunities lie and what they need to continue developing and feeling happy at Mourik'.
Feeling heard
"One example is that many young people come to work with us straight out of school. We take a personalized approach to help them build a network here and provide them with engaging projects so they can continue learning new things. If employees are dealing with personal issues at home, we are very understanding and provide the time and resources they need to resolve those problems first. This way, they always feel heard and safe at work, which is important. I believe the fact that Mourik is a family business (now in its third generation) contributes to this. You can sense that we are all in it together, even at the executive level."
We look beyond the short term and stay ahead of trends coming our way
"In addition to supporting employees with their personal situations and dreams, I also focus on the strategic HR policy. We look beyond the short term and stay ahead of trends coming our way. For example, we are working on improving access to the port, making it easier for employees to reach us by public transportation, and we are considering how to manage the influx of labor migrants. We have noticed a shortage of new talent to replace those who will soon retire, so we are hopeful that opportunities exist in other countries.
Of course, the shortage of workers is a major issue in the port, just as it is in every sector. I think it doesn't help that many people have no idea what goes on in the port. There's a lot of unfamiliarity with the cool jobs available here, but it's time to put the Port of Rotterdam on the map and showcase how exciting it can be to work in the port and in technology. We can always find something that suits you!"
