At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Viktoriia (21) and her father Vitalii moved to the Netherlands with their family. Today, they both work through Flexspecialisten at Van Loon Noord in Beilen. Viktoriia works as a Job Coach, while Vitalii works in the dispatch department. Together, they share their experiences of starting over in an unfamiliar country, working in food production and why you should never be afraid to try something new.
Starting over
Before the war, Viktoriia had never been to the Netherlands. “We came to the Netherlands because of the war, together with my mother, father and older brother. At first, everything took some getting used to. A new country, a new language, new people. Many things were unclear.”
Returning home is not an option for the time being. “Maybe we would like to go back, but the area we come from is currently occupied. We don’t really have the possibility to return.” So the family gradually began building a new life in the Netherlands.
For Viktoriia, the most difficult part of moving to the Netherlands was connecting with other people. “You don’t know anyone, and you’re not sure how people will react to you. But slowly, it gets easier.” She first learned English and then attended school for almost a year to learn Dutch. “Now I communicate much more confidently, and I know who to turn to when I have a question.”
From a nuclear power plant to dispatch
In Ukraine, Vitalii had a completely different job. He worked at a nuclear power plant. “If equipment broke down, we could be called in at any time, even at two or three in the morning. You had to get up, drive to work and carry out repairs.”
Now he works in the department responsible for shipping Van Loon’s products. He prepares crates, checks products and makes sure labels are correctly attached. “Here, everything is clearly organised according to a schedule. You come in for your shift, do your work and then go home. It’s much more predictable.”
The language barrier was not a major obstacle for him. “We don’t speak the language perfectly yet, but I’ve never had any major problems at work. They showed us how everything works, and after that, we could simply get started.”
From newcomer to Job Coach
Viktoriia initially worked in cleaning and in a warehouse. Today, she is a Job Coach at Van Loon. She supports new Flex workers, explains processes and makes sure everything runs smoothly on the work floor.
“I know from experience how difficult it is when you’re in a new country and don’t speak the language very well yet. Many employees don’t speak English or Dutch. They can come to me. I go with them to the team leader or operator and help translate and explain things. That way, nobody has to face things alone.”
What does she enjoy most? “The contact with people! And when everything is well organised, the production lines are running and everyone knows what they need to do.”
A working day in food production
Every shift begins with a set routine. “We put on our work clothes: trousers, a jacket, a hairnet and earplugs because it’s quite noisy. Then we wash and disinfect our hands, clean our shoes and put on gloves, an apron and protective sleeves. Only then are we allowed to enter the production area,” Viktoriia explains. “It’s food production, so hygiene and safety are very important.”
They also had to get used to the cold working environment. “We had never worked in such cold conditions before. But your body gets used to it. We wear warm clothes underneath our workwear, and now it feels completely normal.”
Finding work through Flexspecialisten
The family discovered Flexspecialisten by chance. “My mother found information about Flexspecialisten. She said, ‘Let’s go there and have a look.’ We visited, and that’s how it all started.”
They have now been working through Flexspecialisten for quite some time. “I’m satisfied,” says Viktoriia. “I like how the work is organised and how questions or problems are resolved. Whenever we need help, we always receive it. The most important thing is knowing there’s always someone you can turn to.”
Why Flexspecialisten supports Ukrainian workers
Viktoriia and Vitalii’s story is not an isolated one. More than one hundred Ukrainian Flex workers are employed through Flexspecialisten at clients across the Netherlands. Many arrived here without a job, a network of contacts or knowledge of the language. We are committed to helping them find a stable place in the labour market.
It all starts with a good introduction. New employees receive information about their work, safety procedures and hygiene regulations so they know what to expect. On the work floor, they are not left to figure things out alone. Colleagues like Viktoriia help by explaining things in their own language. For questions about planning, work schedules or practical matters, employees can turn to Flexsupport, our team that is available every day to support our Flex workers.
We also look beyond the present. Those who want to develop their skills are given the opportunity to do so. Viktoriia started as a production worker and is now a Job Coach. This is exactly what we like to see: people receiving a fair opportunity in a new country and making the most of it.
“Don’t be afraid and keep moving forward”
In her free time, Viktoriia enjoys walking and travelling. “I like discovering new cities and countries.” She doesn’t feel completely at home yet, but the Netherlands has become familiar. “What felt new and unclear in the beginning is now part of our everyday life.”
Her advice to anyone considering working in the Netherlands: “Just give it a try. If you want to work, develop yourself and take your job seriously, things will work out. Don’t be afraid if something doesn’t go right the first time. The most important thing is to keep trying.”
Are you looking for a job in the Netherlands? Explore our current job vacancies on our website and discover which opportunity suits you best. Our team is happy to help you get started.