Speaking

Caroline: “You don’t need to be technically minded. You just need to be willing to learn.”

Caroline (61) has now been working at De Rooy in the tool centre for four years – quite a career change from the catering and logistics sectors.

“I wanted to do something with my hands. Not sit in front of a computer all day. Just keep busy, make something tangible and see what you’ve achieved at the end of the day.”

From the catering industry to a new challenge

“I ran my own restaurant business for fifteen years. It was hard work, but I felt it was my calling. You’re constantly interacting with people, switching gears all day long, and no two moments are ever the same.”

After that, she worked in a hospital warehouse.

“It was all about organization, logistics, and responsibility. Making sure everything arrived on time and in the right place was rewarding. Still, I hit a wall; despite good performance reviews, I didn’t get a permanent contract. That didn’t feel right.”

Through an acquaintance, she got in touch with De Rooy.

“I didn’t know much about engineering, but I did know that I wanted to do hands-on work. To learn something new. And here, I got that chance.”

What does a tool manager do at De Rooy?

At the tool center, Caroline is responsible for assembling, calibrating, and managing tools for various machines.

“Every day, we receive tool lists for production orders. Based on those lists, I assemble the tools, measure everything precisely, and enter the data into the system. Only when everything is correct does it go to the machines.”

The work requires precision.

“A small measurement error can have major consequences. At first, I made a mistake when taking measurements. That was an expensive lesson, but it’s all part of learning.”

She emphasizes: “Technology is much more than just a machine that does the work. Without well-designed tools, nothing here works. It’s a team effort between programmers, milling machine operators, and the tooling center.”

From Speed to Precision

“In the restaurant business, everything has to happen fast. Here at De Rooy, I learned that it’s all about precision, not speed. My coworker would always say, ‘Take your time—it has to be done right, not fast.’ That was really a big adjustment..”

Caroline took her learning process seriously.

“I took pictures of tools, wrote everything down, and studied the subject in depth at home as well. If you’re curious and willing to learn, you can master this trade.”

What pleasantly surprised her was the guidance she received.

“I was regularly invited to talk: How are you doing? What do you think? I’d never experienced that before. That attention gave me confidence.”

Flexibility and Trust at De Rooy

Caroline first worked 32 hours a week, then full-time, and now works under the intergenerational pact.

“At De Rooy, you’re given that flexibility. They really work with you to find what fits your situation.”

According to her, De Rooy’s strength also lies in the little things.

“A small gift sent to your home, monthly cake, moments of relaxation at work, staff parties. They may be small details, but they show that employees are valued.”

Engineering has no standard profile

At De Rooy, 20 of our 125 colleagues are now women. The technical sector is also a great place for women to learn, grow, and further develop their careers.

“The atmosphere is good. Everyone is willing to help. Our Tool Center is now staffed by three women.”

Especially for women who are unsure:
“You don’t need to have a technical background. If you can work accurately and are interested in technology, you can learn it. Perhaps women are actually particularly well-suited to this work, because accuracy is so important here.”


She laughs:
“And yes, sometimes you get a bit dirty. Luckily, that’s what gloves are for.”

Two seconds of courage

Many of the people she speaks to are unsure about switching to a technical career.
“Ze zitten al jaren bij hetzelfde bedrijf. Niet altijd gelukkig, maar durven de stap niet te zetten.”

Her advice:
“Come and spend a day with us at De Rooy. You’ll get a feel straight away for whether the company’s right for you. Sometimes all it takes is 20 seconds of courage to change your life.”

She herself has never regretted it for a moment.
“It’s a responsible job, challenging, and I’m still learning something new every day. That keeps me on my toes.”

Broadening one’s horizons

“I would advise everyone to keep developing themselves, not least to broaden their horizons. The possibilities are endless.”

Are you ready for a career change? At De Rooy, we warmly welcome people changing careers! Click here to view our vacancies. Or would you like to speak to our HR colleagues Mary or Dana about the opportunities? Please call us on: +31 (0)40 – 281 34 59.”