Measure maxinautes: kris

Briefly introduce yourself, what is your position at Maxicon?

Kris: "I am Kris Stockman, 45 years old and living together in the beautiful Flemish Ardennes with my two children. My function at Maxicon mainly consists of mechanical assembly work with a touch of electrical work."

How did you end up at Maxicon?

Kris: "It happened rather by chance. I was already working in outsourcing, but I wasn't 100 per cent happy there anyway. I received notification via an app of a vacancy for a mechanic with a company car. Usually I am a bit sceptical, when I read something like this, but the terms and conditions were better than with my then employer so I thought to myself, why not. I had gained some info on Maxicon and arranged an interview with Rebecca. After this interview, I was immediately sold, the atmosphere there was good, the reception was brilliant and the interview went smoothly, while I am not such a chatterbox myself. I immediately saw the whole thing."

How long have you been working for us?

Kris: "My first day was on 17 February 2020 under an interim contract. After a few months, I was then offered a permanent contract and happily signed it. Now we are 2 years on and still a happy camper."

What does a day at NMBS look like?

Kris: "A day at NMBS is an experience every day. This is not only to do with the work itself, but also because of the group atmosphere there, such as the juicy weekend stories from colleagues ;) This can sometimes make your day/week good. When we really look at the work itself, it always starts with a look at your daily schedule (which I can already flawlessly predict). Then we coordinate with colleagues and then you can start.

What our line mainly does is build the ETCS system into different models of trains. ETCS is a European safety system that automatically brakes the train if the driver drives through a red signal due to inattention or any other reason. This system became mandatory after several major accidents at European level. My job is mainly to adjust and assemble everything mechanical so that the electrical connections can run flawlessly. I am also sometimes deployed to do electrical connections myself, but only if there are staff shortages due to illness or leave.

Because of my two years' experience on this line, I am sometimes asked to carry out work on another line where this experience comes in handy. Surely this feels like a kind of respect and appreciation towards me for what I do every day. And appreciation is a great motivation for everyone, right?"

"The project at SNCB is right up my street. The satisfaction you get out of being able to carry out your daily schedule every day and having fun with colleagues in the meantime, that is indescribable."
-Kris, Maxinaut at team East Flanders

How do you experience the project at NMBS?

Kris: "The project at NMBS is right up my street. The satisfaction you get from being able to carry out your daily schedule and having fun with colleagues in the meantime is indescribable. The group atmosphere is really good (partly thanks to myself ;) ) and everyone is always there for each other. From the beginning, I was accepted as one of them and never really felt like an outsider. The fact that I was allowed to stay on after their evaluation of all outsourcing companies within SNCB says it all, I think. Also the work itself, once you get the hang of the system, is right up my street. Not always simple and clean but oh so satisfying when you get everything finished off properly."

How do you look at your entire trajectory at Maxicon today?

Kris: "My trajectory at Maxicon did not go smoothly in the beginning. The communication with the former manager in Drongen was difficult and, in my opinion, not always sincere, sometimes even a tad disrespectful in my eyes. But when you walk around with the mindset that such things resolve themselves I actually had little to worry about.
Fortunately, these times are over with a completely new team and new blood who are fully committed and always, you read it right, always make you feel good when you contact them. Communication and a touch of understanding from both sides is, I feel, the best recipe for a smooth cooperation."

Have you seen yourself grow over the past two years?

Kris: "In terms of technology, you learn every day. It may sound cliché all the way to Timbuktu, but it is true. How banal some things are, you are always learning and there is always that weird brain twister in my head that wants to know how something works, just call me a freak in that area. I'm proud of it too.

I also grow in terms of self-confidence on a daily basis. More and more people come to me with a question to which, thanks to my experience, I can always give a decent answer. When they then start their question with: "they sent me to you because you will know..." Well, if that doesn't give you confidence, I don't know either."

Do you have any tips/advice for budding technicians?

Kris: "The best advice that helps me on a daily basis is one of my favourite quotes: 'A calm sea doesn't make a skilled sailor,' meaning that if you face a problem, don't avoid it, always rise to that challenge. You can only get better from it."

Does Kris' story appeal to you?

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