Expats in the dredging industry

Despite the financial crisis that’s affecting many other sectors, dredging companies, such as Deme and Jan De Nul, are still recruiting more employees. Many of them are being hired to work overseas because there is worldwide a great demand for complicated dredging projects. For example maintenance works in ports and harbors or treatments of contaminated soils.

Because of the lack of technically skilled personnel, these companies train their new employees during several weeks. They learn how to operate cutter and hopper dredgers using simulators. But this training aims as well to prepare them for the experience of working out of the country. This is very important because they will have to deal will great responsibilities. Many weighty decisions will have to be made quickly.

The company arranges the accommodation abroad. It is often located near the workplace to gain time and to be able to be immediately on the spot in case an emergency occurs. The company takes care of the housework as many expats have longer and more working days per week. Usually they work for one or two months abroad and then they get a month off to visit their family back home.

Margarita Wilson