OnderhoudNL: 'Craftsmanship is crucial to keeping the Netherlands safe and future-proof'

What is the biggest fear for concrete and steel construction in the Netherlands? Exactly yes ... that the work can no longer be carried out due to lack of personnel. "The maintenance. replacement and renovation task is enormous," says Ferdinand Wieman, sector manager for industrial painting at trade association OnderhoudNL. "This development underlines the social importance as well as the value of craftsmanship. But to meet this growing need, more well-trained professionals are essential."

A huge construction effort was completed after World War II. But all those assets are now in need of major maintenance, replacement or renovation. Great jobs that will require well-trained professionals in the coming years. So how does the industry get its skilled workers? "We have been conducting various labor market campaigns for years and will of course continue to do so. But we also cannot escape foreign flexible hiring. There are already hundreds of Greeks, Romanians and Turks working at the industrial painting companies in our country." But is the lobbying on this subject being done? "Of course we are in talks, for example with the Department of Public Works," says Wieman. "We draw attention to organizing the work more year-round. Now our sector experiences a peak especially in spring and summer, but I think we should be able to pull those periods wider, so that companies can offer their professionals more security."

Education

In addition, Wieman sees an opportunity for in education. "Professional choices are often already made when young people are 15 or 16. That's also where the problem lies for us, because this work - for example, as an industrial painter - you can't start doing it until you're 18. You can't even let young people of 15, who would like to learn the trade, walk around a construction site or an asset yet, whereas in similar professions you can."

Innovation

"In addition to human capital, we are also looking at how we can organize work differently. Innovation is the key word here," says Wieman. "In some maintenance projects with large areas, the work is already being done by large paint robots. That also creates new functions in the industry. Because such a robot is controlled by a process operator. It is very nice to see how human craftsmanship and technology can go hand in hand. That also makes our industry so beautiful to work in."

Wieman is proud of the involvement of the industrial painting companies affiliated with the trade association. "Together with the members, we are doing plenty of extensive knowledge sharing. We are helping them with the REACH legislation from Europe (for hazardous substance reduction, ed.), we are engaged in salt testing and we are delving into Occupational Health and Safety regulations and sustainability. Everything to make it as easy as possible for our members, so they can ensure that the Netherlands lasts longer."    

About OnderhoudNL

OnderhoudNL is the trade association for specialists in property maintenance with approximately 1,700 member companies - from self-employed workers to SMEs - active in painting, renovation, restoration, insulation, glazing and industrial metal conservation. Together they represent some 30,000 professionals who contribute daily to the maintenance and sustainability of the built environment in the Netherlands. Based in Gouda, the association is governed by a membership board with oversight from a supervisory board.

OnderhoudNL is committed to professionalizing the industry through advocacy, industry development and member advice. It also supports entrepreneurs and employees with activities aimed at future-proof business operations. OnderhoudNL puts industrial painting on the map through its 'We maintain the Netherlands' campaign Discover all stories at we-maintain.com