Dick, Ina en Corinda Breunesse Bankwerker, receptionistes

We interview Dick, Ina and Corinda. Three family members of a family of five from Baarn. Dick not only took his wife to VDL MPC, but all three of his children have also worked at the company. His daughter Corinda still works there.
 

How did you end up at VDL?

Dick: “In 1980, after finishing school at Philips, I started at Philips in Huizen. After thirteen years this company was taken over by Hollandse Signaalapparaten, now Thales Nederland. Of the four bench workers who were allowed to join, I was one of them.” Ina: “When Dick came home saying they were looking for a new secretary at VDL MPC, I immediately called the then managing director. I was able to come for an interview the very next day.” Dick: “On the website at the vacancy it said, ‘Iron talent wanted’ and I immediately thought of Ina.”

Ina: “It took some getting used to because I went from being an almost full-time mother to working 24 hours. Fortunately, things went very well at home.” Corinda: “I was training to be a teaching assistant. When I didn't quite fit in there, I was quickly offered a great position with training at VDL MPC. I could start immediately as a cleanroom employee and had opportunities to grow. I made good use of that opportunity, because I worked in various departments and was eventually asked to work in reception. Here I am really very happy and feel completely at home - from day one.”
 

So you work together at the reception desk?

Ina: “That's right! But we are not right next to each other, because when Corinda came to reception I went to the back office. So we are one team, yet we also work separately.” Corinda: “We like working together very much, half a word from each other is enough. Moreover, it is nice that we can pour our hearts out to each other because we understand each other so well.”

What is it like to have all three working at VDL?

Ina: “Dick works in another department, so he has different stories from us. Secretly I also like working so close to my husband and daughter. That way I can especially keep a close eye on my daughter,” laughs Ina. “Of course, we discuss many things with each other, but then those are only the positive ones. Also, we can carpool on the days that all three of us work,” Dick adds.
 

What do you like about your work?

“I like working with my hands. Nowadays you can make much more beautiful and complex products. That keeps it challenging,” Dick says. “Because of my experience, colleagues also regularly come to me asking for my help. But what I enjoy most is trying to patch up rejected products so they can still go to the customer.” Corinda: “I am a lot like my father and also like to work with my hands. I do that a lot less now, but I still occasionally get asked to work in other departments. That keeps the work varied. I still learn new things every day, says Corinda. “I agree with Corinda, because for me, too, the work is very varied. I like that and since day one I feel like a fish in the water at VDL MPC,” says Ina.
 

How do you see the future at VDL?

Corinda: “I am very happy with my job and am in a good position for the time being. Ina: “The same goes for me and I hope to be able to work here for a long time to come. The work pressure is sometimes a bit high, and we have to watch out for that.” Dick: “Because of the ever-changing products and rapidly changing market, the work is more challenging than it used to be. That makes the work fun.”