11 April 2024
At AAE, continuously pushing the boundaries of technology and seizing opportunities is second nature. Yenthe Bloemen's journey is a great example of this spirit! It began when she joined as an intern through her vocational education in Mechatronics, and later staying on as holiday help and working evenings. After finishing her education, Yenthe was given the chance to work at AAE as an Allround Mechanic. Now, just a few years later at 22, Yenthe is leading her first project as a Project Lead, and combining this with her university studies in Mechanical Engineering.
Yenthe reflects, "If you had asked me three years ago which direction I would take within AAE, I would have said 'engineering' without hesitation, especially the designing process of our own machines appealed to me. However, my interest grew in switching between different departments and taking on a variety of tasks. That's why I am happy about choosing Mechanical Engineering, which allows me to pursue various directions within AAE."
Project Lead
Yenthe expressed her desire to take on more responsibility and that's what happened: now at 22, Yenthe works at AAE as a Project Lead. "When I was offered the position by my supervisor, I naturally didn't have to think long about it. The trust and support from my colleagues gave me a necessary boost in confidence In order to fully go for this opportunity without looking back, " she adds.
Coordinating Role
The current project Yenthe and her team are working on involves a printing and assembly machine for the medical sector. As Project Lead, her tasks are now different from those of an Allround Mechanic. Yenthe explains: "A project starts at the construction phase, with a kick-off within our department. As soon as the design is finalized by engineering and all necessary parts are purchased, we receive the drawing package with which the machine can be assembled. For the construction phase, we've determined a construction sequence together with Manufacturing Engineering and Planning, so that the assembly proceeds smoothly. During the construction phase, I keep Project Management and Planning informed about progress and delivery times." She adds, "I now spend less time tinkering and more time behind a computer. It takes some time to get used to, but I get a lot of energy from coordinating between different departments and ensuring that my colleagues make progress in their work."
Painted Nails
As a child, Yenthe was not necessarily interested in technology, although she was always curious about how things work. Yenthe says, "In high school, I actually wanted to study Radiology, something completely different from what I do now. I ultimately chose the vocational education in Mechatronics because my interest in Radiology turned out to be mainly about the technology behind the machines. This led me to explore technology. The diversity that technology offers appeals to me." She continues, "I can learn a lot from my colleagues. The percentage of women at AAE is growing rapidly, but the majority is still male. In my department, where I work directly on the machine as one of the few women, I notice this too. Sometimes my colleagues might laugh when they see me working with my painted nails, I take it lightly and just have a laugh along with them. They all appreciate that I work in technology as a woman and they always help me with lifting when needed. Thanks to our great team, where everyone is very generous, I really feel at home at AAE."
Pushing Boundaries
At AAE, boundaries are continuously pushed. It often happens that work is being done on a machine that must be faster than its predecessor. Yenthe and her colleagues faced such a challenge. Yenthe explains, "The model we are currently working on has to run at a higher speed than the previous one. From the beginning, we work closely with software, engineering, and production to ensure we achieve the desired speed. At the start, this can bring the necessary challenges, but in the end, we always manage to achieve a beautiful result with the entire team."
Board Meetings as a Project Tool
To keep track of the project's progress, Yenthe organizes a board meeting with the entire project team every week. These meetings literally take place at a board that stands by the project. This board contains all necessary information about the project. Yenthe explains, "During these meetings, we evaluate the delivery of parts with Planning, explore improvements to the machine with Engineering, and assess the feasibility of deadlines with Project Management. When problems arise, we actively search for solutions and the necessary additional resources. This dynamic gives me a lot of energy, which is why I see myself continuing here at AAE in the future. The openness to improvement strengthens the cooperation within our team and AAE. I go to work with a big smile time and time again at AAE!"
To read more about working at AAE, check out the blogs about Yenthe's colleagues here.
