A key role in safety and collaboration at the heart of production.
"You don't have to be an expert to get started; what you need to know, you learn here."
At ArcelorMittal, the hot strip mill just run by itself. Behind the scenes, Armando, together with two fellow process engineers, ensures that everything runs safely and efficiently. "I prepare everything so that production can start immediately," he says. "From gloves, shoes, and earplugs to no-touch tools, I make sure everything is ready." But his role goes beyond logistics. Armando is also responsible for the safety of his colleagues: "When the line is shut down, I check everything first. Only when it is safe can people enter the installation."
Collaboration
Armando is the connecting link between different departments. "I am the point of contact for mechanics, electricians, and production. Without good communication, things come to a standstill." This collaboration not only ensures smooth operations, but also a warm atmosphere in the workplace. "There's a positive vibe in every team I interact with. We know what we can expect from each other and can get a lot of work done together."
That collegial support was crucial for Armando when he started. "During my training program, there was always someone by my side. They showed me the dangers and explained everything. You don't need any prior knowledge; you learn everything you need to know here." And that learning process doesn't stop after the first few weeks. "If you're eager to learn, you can continue to grow here. There are internal training courses, both technical and in the area of soft skills such as time management, dealing with people, and emotions. You carry those skills with you not just to work, but into your everyday life."
Advancement opportunities
Armando is ambitious and sees plenty of opportunities within the company. "The sky is the limit. I see myself doing this job for at least another five years, but after that there are plenty of opportunities. Even though I've been working here for ten years, I'm still discovering new things." What originally attracted him to ArcelorMittal? "The variety, the opportunities for advancement, as well as the fact that family members work here. My father-in-law said, 'It's a big company where you can go in any direction.' And he was right."
The name ArcelorMittal was not decisive for Armando, but the benefits certainly were. "You get a lot of fringe benefits and everything is well organised. The company's reputation is a nice bonus, but it's especially impressive to know that almost every Volvo contains steel that was produced here."
Armando realizes that the steel industry is not always seen in a positive light, but he stresses the importance as well as the efforts in terms of sustainability. "Without steel no dishwasher, washing machine or car. People want those things, but sometimes forget where they come from. It's a heavy industry, but we do everything we can to keep them as clean as possible. The water we use in the hot roller is reused dozens of times. We also do our part on an environmental level."
With his drive, sense of responsibility and positive outlook on collaboration and growth, Armando is an example of how at ArcelorMittal you not only find a job, but build a career.
