As a maintenance technician, Lynn is responsible for the preventive maintenance of machines and troubleshooting.
"You never know what the day will bring, but know that you are never alone."
"During my 7th year studying mechanical engineering, I had a few days of training at ArcelorMittal in Ghent," Lynn begins. "I was truly impressed by the production process and the scale of the company. With more than 1,000 maintenance technicians working here, there are plenty of opportunities to switch teams, grow, or change shifts. I seized the chance and have been permanently employed since July 2011."
In the beginning, Lynn mainly performed preventive maintenance, but gradually she also learned how to repair breakdowns. "When things are quiet, we carry out checks," she says. "That way, we can sometimes prevent a breakdown. If something does break down, that's when the action starts. We shut down the machine and investigate what needs to be repaired or replaced. We gather all the necessary information, ask for permission to intervene, and get started."
"I learned everything here, not at school."
Those who have just left school receive good training, Lynn confirms. "You learn everything again, but in practice. Through training courses, but also from colleagues who share their knowledge. I learned everything here, not at school."
Whether the steel industry is a man's world? Lynn doesn't notice much of that. "Everyone helps each other, so as a woman you definitely shouldn't be put off. I've built a solid bond with my colleagues," she says. "We work well together and are responsible for each other's safety. In a production environment like ours, you really have to be able to count on each other."
"We have a regular team and alternate because we work in a shift system. That means we work early, during the day or late, including weekends and holidays. In return, you get a lot of free time and more than 40 vacation days," Lynn concludes.
