“At first it was a huge challenge, but now it has become a norm for me and more like an adventure.”
Chukwudi Ifeanetu Kingsley, “Chudi” for colleagues, is the second electrician who has completed Eryk’s training program. He joined us in April 2019 as one of our first West African colleagues from Nigeria and Ghana to partake in our training program, designed and focused particularly on our work standards. Everything started with extensive theoretical training, addressing technical and HSEQ issues, followed by practical trainings on European sites, together with other Eryk technicians.
Chukwudi is currently working on a huge industrial automation project in the Netherlands, but we managed to catch him in the office and asked him some questions.
Before coming to Eryk, you were an electrician working on different projects in Africa. Can you tell us a bit more about the industries, projects and areas you were working in?
I was working on different projects in Nigeria, both on and off the shores of Nigeria. I started with home installations (Domestic Installations) which is basically home wirings which consist of both surface and conduit wiring systems. Then, I moved on to the oil sector, where I worked for an oil servicing company whose major projects, both onshore and offshore, was vessel maintenance.
How do you remember your start at Eryk? What are the first things that come to your mind?
Well, I remember being welcomed by the office staff, it was a nice feeling. For me it was not the first time working with people from a different race, but it was also an exciting moment for me.
What project do you remember the most since you have joined the company?
My first project here – elevators.
What project are you currently working at? What do you do there?
I am currently working on a huge industrial automation project in Rotterdam. I am on the Electrical Team, I have tasks like cable pulling, construction of cable trays, grounding of cable trays and conveyors, installation of IR sensors, etc.
How does it feel to work in a different culture?
It feels great. Like I said earlier, I have had the opportunity to work with people from a different culture back home, but now it’s a bit different now because I live among them. At first it was a huge challenge, but now it has become a norm for me and more like an adventure.
How is the current COVID situation affecting you and your colleagues?
The situation is terrible. Nobody likes this, but we have to keep to the rules. Taking the tests and now – wearing masks not only during work, but also while driving – that’s a nuisance, to say the least.
I can only imagine how we will deal with the situation in summer when it gets hot.
What will be the first thing you will do, when the pandemic is over?
Take a trip probably 😊
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