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Emiel Vanneste

Technical Young Graduate
Hoboken, Belgium
Working for Umicore since 2021
"From day one, I was considered a full member of the team and my opinion counted. You feel the appreciation enormously."

Can you describe your role at Umicore?

As a young graduate, I am currently following a training programme that is preparing me for a future position as manager within the Group. During this process, I work on various projects, in different departments. Today I am completing my first project at EMR, where I implemented automation wherever possible. After all, many tasks are still performed manually by operators today; my job was to analyse which of these tasks could be automated in an efficient manner.

What do you enjoy about your job?

As a chemical engineering graduate, this is exactly the place where you hope to work later. It is a real adventure for me to get to know processes like this! The project is also very broad, and I am given the creative freedom to shape it myself and shift my focus where necessary. From day one, I was considered a full member of the team and my opinion counted. You feel the appreciation enormously.

What do you enjoy about working for Umicore?

I especially like the teamwork. Although I am supposedly in training, I am given a lot of freedom to get to know the process and the Umicore colleagues in my own way and at my own pace, without pressure. This is a very special, pleasant way of training!

Why did you want to join Umicore?

During my studies, the process of Umicore came up, which made me curious about this company. I looked it up and was interested in their offer. I personally feel very strongly about sustainability and it is important for me to be able to contribute to a better world. After a few job interviews, it was clear to me that sustainability at Umicore is not just an empty word, and now I experience this every day.

What do you look forward to when you leave for work in the morning?

My connection with the operators is real. I look forward every day to walking into the factory and seeing my colleagues again. Studying the processes is also interesting, day after day. In addition to the project work, I am also confronted with daily, operational problems that need to be addressed; no day is the same!

What has been your highlight so far in your role at Umicore?

I have only been working here for four months, but a suggestion I made about a possible process adjustment did not fall on deaf ears! The optimisation I suggested was examined and implemented. The adjustment had a positive effect on production and I am proud of that.

Advice for new joiners?

Dare to be yourself! I know from experience that a more reserved attitude is not at all necessary - you are a member of the team and your opinion counts, right from the start.