Improvia Academy
Floris had no idea what he wanted to do when he started his higher professional education (HBO) program in Mechatronics. “I thought I’d figure it out later. Until I finished my studies and suddenly found myself here. Fortunately, at Improvia, I have every opportunity to develop myself broadly, thanks in part to the Improvia Academy. Think of it as a platform with a wide range of courses and training programs. Together, they are invaluable for every engineer, just like the knowledge sessions within our company.”
Your work should align with what you’re passionate about. And that’s certainly the case at Improvia Engineering Professionals, says engineer Floris (22). “The client base is broad, the work is varied.”
“Do you want to develop yourself broadly? Discover what truly suits you? At Improvia, you get plenty of opportunities to do that. I first did an internship here, have been working here since early 2022, and I now know that you have plenty of room here. Personal initiative is encouraged, so you can focus on other activities besides engineering.” For example, I support my marketing colleague, introduce students to Improvia, and mentor some of our interns. I enjoy helping others and learning from each other, just as I naturally do from my colleagues. Improvia Engineering Professionals has a great team, with a good mix of experienced professionals and young engineers. We’re interested in each other’s work and enjoy sharing our experiences, including through knowledge sessions. I learn a lot from all those conversations.
Projects that suit you
“I’m currently seconded to ÆVO. It’s a sister company of Improvia and specializes in bridges, tunnels, and locks. Think of predictive maintenance, for example, where we use data analysis to keep the infrastructure in optimal condition. We also focus on, among other things, the renovation and new construction of bridges and the optimization of lock operation. This is done through PLC programming, which I’m very interested in and have already achieved a lot with for ÆVO.” I can still learn a lot and gain experience, but I’m also available for other clients, where I can apply PLC programming in a different environment. Still, I like to let the assignments come to me, precisely because our company tailors them as closely as possible to each engineer’s preferences. In short, a new project? It’s sure to be my thing.
Be proactive, stay curious
“Improvia’s client base is broad, the work varied. Each project offers a steep learning curve in a short time and further whets your appetite for knowledge. And to ensure you maximize your opportunities? I’d like to tell my future colleagues: tell them what you want to learn. Be proactive, stay curious, and remember that work should also be fun. A professional attitude is important, but so is enjoyment. Friday afternoon drinks, attending events together: Improvia Engineering Professionals is the perfect place for those kinds of activities too.”
