Thijs Wittockx

Can you describe your role/position at Umicore?

At the moment I’m being trained by the current Process Safety Manager. He takes care of all the ‘Hazard and Operability Analysis’ (HAZOP) at Umicore Hoboken. For now I’m doing my bit as a secretary and note taker, but ultimately the aim is for me to take over part of these risk analyses from him.

What do you like about your job?

I learn so much every day! Both by contributing to the risk analyses themselves and via external courses and self-study. The fact that my work covers the whole site in Hoboken makes it particularly interesting: I go into all the departments and get to know lots of different people, so I can pick up masses from them.

What do you like about working at Umicore?

The pleasant, informal working atmosphere struck me immediately during my Engineering Traineeship. I had a friendly welcome in every department then and afterwards, as a permanent employee, that definitely didn’t change. And I think it’s a major plus that Umicore deliberately works on the training and development of all the staff.

Why did you want to work at Umicore?

Umicore is a multinational that offers a lot of career opportunities. In addition, it’s a company that invests in sustainable technology and that appealed to me. And last but not least for me personally, I can work close to home.

What do you look forward to when you set off to work in the morning?

Above all the chance to learn new things, but also the great contact with my colleagues.

What has been the highlight of your time at Umicore so far?

The battery smelter team’s event was the first time I had met colleagues outside the site. It was a really fun evening: we were in stitches!

Any advice for newcomers?

Don’t be afraid of asking questions or requesting help. Your colleagues are there for you if you ask!