‘I can work on my own development at Saxion and also on the development of others.’

Linking disciplines, quickly switching tasks: it all suits Lotte Jansen down to the ground. She started as Saxion Corporate Trainee one and a half years ago and recently received the good news that there is a position for her. Who is this multi-tasker who connects research and education? “Sometimes I get asked how I manage to switch between tasks and projects so easily. If it doesn’t drive me mad. But actually, it suits me down to the ground.”

Lotte Jansen started her traineeship at Saxion after completing her degree in Industrial Engineering & Management. She started at two places simultaneously: TechYourFuture and the Employability Transition Research Group at the School of Applied Psychology and Human Resource Management. A so-called dual job. One that really suits her, she says: “I get to go to all kinds of places, work with a large team of colleagues and am out and about a lot. It suits me not having to be at the office the whole time. Yes, I really enjoy having a dual job.”

Supervising students

What does the combination involve? “I work two days a week at each job. TechYourFuture is a centre of expertise for technology and education that is linked to Saxion and other educational institutions. I’m a researcher there, but we also form a bridge between education, the professional field and society. In the research group I’m involved with the Technohub Inclusive Technology [TINT] in Apeldoorn. This means that I get to supervise students from different study programmes: Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology and Industrial Engineering & Management. All these disciplines come together in different projects. I also studied Industrial Engineering & Management myself. There the emphasis was on the efficiency of processes. I missed the human aspect. You can look at how to make processes quicker, better or cheaper, but there is also another perspective: how can we ensure that it is the humans that grow in this process?”

Translation earbuds and VR glasses

The Technohub Inclusive Technology in Apeldoorn focuses on people who are disadvantaged in the labour market, Lotte explains. “People who have been on benefits, or fled their home as a result of the war in Ukraine. Sometimes the stories are harrowing. They are sent to our partner Lucatro, a work-training company. Often they don’t speak Dutch. We research how technology can help and enable them to work. For example using translation earbuds, similar to AirPods, which let you understand each other through exchanging short sentences in your own language. This enables these people to go and work at businesses in the region. We don’t develop the technology, but research how it works and can be optimally deployed.” Lotte mentions the use of VR glasses as another example of how people can find out more about a new job, for example working in landscaping or in the hospitality sector. It makes taking the step to applying smaller. “I supervise students who work on this research, either individually or as a team. For example with their work placement or graduation assignment.”

Major projects

There is of course also the other side, TechYourFuture, where Lotte was allowed to work on major projects such as RoboTAO. As part of a team, she developed education for working with Cobots, at levels 2, 3 and 4 for vocational college SMEOT in Hengelo. She found it very interesting: “Together we looked at how we could make an attractive curriculum where students would learn to work with a Cobot. That project has now been completed. I’m now involved in other major projects such as Gas Erop and HYGENESYS. The former focuses on learning communities in the installation sector. In ten weeks we tackle a complex challenge with technicians, apprentice technicians, internal staff, human resource professionals and applied university and vocational lecturers. With all these disciplines, we are able to look beyond the boundaries of individual subjects. This is done internally at a company. And it gets even bigger, as in our collaboration with various regional businesses in the field of hydrogen, in a project called HYGENESYS. Here we have a comprehensive approach to a broad challenge facing the energy transition.”

At the vanguard

These are just a few examples from the world Lotte moves in. But can she successfully divide her attention between all these tasks and project groups? “That’s exactly what I enjoy. I sometimes get asked how am I able to switch so easily. If it doesn’t drive me mad. But actually it suits me down to the ground. I think it’s great to be in Apeldoorn on a Monday morning supervising students and in the afternoon at a learning community in Almelo. It gives me energy. I’m not good at sitting still. And what’s great at Saxion is: it’s up to you. I have already said that this way of working suits me, but I also have colleagues for whom that’s not the case. As a result, they have a different emphasis in their work. And that's fine. Let me be part of the vanguard. Those around me often describe me as being energetic, keen and committed. I’m often the one who organises the parties and weekend breaks. And I also regard myself as being a socially engaged person. This makes a good working relationship important to me. It creates a sound base for cooperation. Saxion is also a large organisation, however, I like to keep things in my work small and manageable. By staying focused, I can make the progress I want.”

Extremely valuable

Does she believe that through her dual job she can make a difference in tomorrow’s world? “Yes, it actually works in two ways. We are busy with both technology and the sustainable commitment of people. That is really thinking about tomorrow’s world. In the Netherlands 1.2 million people are disadvantaged in the labour market. That is a large group. It is important to ensure that a large number of them are able to work. Initially at a work-training company then later in a regular job. We can partly compensate the current labour shortage by helping this group to work with the aid of technology. A lot more is possible than we think and also people are often able to do more than they think. For companies this is sometimes difficult as it is unknown territory. Through our research and education we want to help close the gap between supply and demand. I think this is an extremely valuable thing to be doing.”

Building a network

Does Lotte recommend working at Saxion? “Absolutely. For me personally, the Corporate Traineeship was a good springboard to getting a job. I can imagine that’s also the case for more people, soon after graduating. We’ve had time this past one and a half years as trainees, to be together as a group of sixteen people. We are all more or less in the age group 22 to 30 and have been given a wide range of opportunities. For example in the areas of personal development, leadership and working with Lean. Together we’ve visited other businesses or organisations, discussed cases in our work, things that have been informative or difficult. You notice that by doing so, you build up a valuable network inside Saxion.”

Employment

And when she looks ahead? What does her future look like? “My traineeship ends next summer and I will be offered a position at Saxion. I will continue to work at the research group and for TechYourFuture. Saxion is also giving me the opportunity to do a part-time master’s in business management studies. So, I’m going to be doing another university programme. It’s great that Saxion is encouraging me to do this. When I heard that I could stay, I thought: they really have confidence in me. Saxion is also being supportive in the run up to the master’s. Especially since I had my doubts about it. However, the traineeship, developing towards this permanent position and the master’s, all gave me the feeling that I am on a good path.”