More than eighteen years ago, Maciej Bielawski left Poland for the Netherlands. He wanted to work, see new things and discover what life in another country would be like. What began as an exciting move to a new country grew into a stable life. Maciej gained experience with various clients, became increasingly independent and eventually found his place in the Netherlands.
One thing remained the same throughout all those years: his relationship with Flexspecialisten. Looking back, Maciej says: “I never thought I would stay and work here for so long. But my experience has simply been good. I have been working through Flexspecialisten for a very long time, so I think that says enough.”
Time for a new step
Before Maciej came to the Netherlands, he lived and worked in the area around Bydgoszcz, Poland. Among other things, he worked in a furniture factory and as a driver. When the company he was working for at the time began to struggle, he decided to look for something new. Maciej explains: “I wanted to see something different and find out what it would be like to work somewhere else.”
The Netherlands made him curious. He had heard stories about Amsterdam and Rotterdam, but he was also interested in something the Netherlands is known for around the world: flowers. Through our recruitment partner Work Force in Bydgoszcz, Maciej was able to start working through Flexspecialisten. In 2007, he moved to the Netherlands.
Supported from the start
Working in a new country is a big step. Especially when you do not speak the language and are not quite sure what to expect on your first day at work. Maciej also found that first period exciting. At the same time, he immediately noticed that he was not on his own: “The first time, they went with me to work. If I needed something, for example a phone, they helped me with that too.”
His first client was Eurostrip in Den Bosch, where he worked with concrete and plasterboard panels. It was physically demanding work and very different from the driving work he had done in Poland. Still, Maciej was not easily discouraged. As he puts it: “I wanted to work, so I worked.”
That down-to-earth attitude runs throughout his story: getting on with the job, continuing to learn and becoming increasingly independent. In the years that followed, he worked through Flexspecialisten for various clients. He learned new tasks, gained a great deal of practical experience and was able to work more and more independently.
“The first time, they went with me to work. If I needed something, for example a phone, they helped me with that too.”
Working among Dutch flowers every day
Today, Maciej works at Jumbo Bloemen en Planten in Veghel. The flowers that once made him curious about the Netherlands are now part of his everyday work.
How does he like working at Jumbo? He does not have to think long about his answer: “Great.”
Maciej plays an important role in the logistics process. Describing his daily tasks, he says: “I check which flowers have arrived, which locations are empty and what needs to be replenished. I make sure the order pickers can simply keep working without any problems.”
His work requires attention, a good overview and the ability to think ahead. Maciej walks a lot, operates an electric vehicle and constantly keeps track of what is needed and where. His many years of experience and practical approach are very useful in this role.
When asked where he gets his energy during such an active working day, a smile appears on his face. His answer? “Red Bull.”
Building a life in the Netherlands
What began with the desire to try something new grew into much more than simply working in the Netherlands. Step by step, Maciej built a life here. While the language barrier was a challenge at first and many things were new, the Netherlands now feels familiar. Maciej says: “After so many years, I feel at home here. I am used to it and I have built my life here.”
From his own experience, Maciej knows that moving to another country can be exciting. You arrive in a new environment, may not speak the language yet and do not know exactly what to expect. Still, he would encourage others from Poland or other countries who are considering working in the Netherlands to take that step: “Just give it a try. It may take some getting used to at first, but if you want to work, things will work out.”
A partnership lasting more than eighteen years
Clients and jobs changed, but throughout all those years Maciej remained connected to Flexspecialisten. What he values about that relationship, he explains simply and clearly: “Everything is always well organised. Everything at work is good too, and that is the most important thing for me.”
That statement says a lot. Good support is not only about the big moments. It is also about helping someone find their way on an exciting first day at work, being available when something is needed and making sure they have a workplace that suits them.
His story shows what can happen when commitment, trust and good support come together: a variety of work experiences, growing independence and ultimately a stable future in the Netherlands. That is also what he is most proud of: “That after all these years, I am still working here and have found my place.”
And will he continue working through Flexspecialisten for another eighteen years? “We’ll see,” he says with a laugh and a wink. Whatever the future may bring, Maciej’s story began with the desire to try something new. More than eighteen years later, that decision has brought him not only different jobs and valuable work experience, but also a place that has come to feel like home.
“I never thought I would stay and work here for so long. But my experience has simply been good. I have been working through Flexspecialisten for a very long time, so I think that says enough.”
Want to build a stable future too?
Are you ready for a new step and would you like to work in the Netherlands? View our vacancies and apply today.