Wouter

Wouter Artz, Finance employee, Weert, The Netherlands

Q: Describe your duties and responsibilities during your traineeship?
During my first summer, I worked at the credit control department and was involved in the accounts receivables reporting. Moreover, I wrote a manual which captures all the previous loose and outdated documents related to their work activities like bank bookings and factoring.

During the second summer, I investigated the possibilities regarding automatic pre-reconciliation of intercompany accounts in SAP. I tested several existing reports and the extent to which these could be used. Furthermore, I studied the possibility of implementing credit limits and delivery blocks in SAP. Finally, I was involved in the checking of reports like stock exchange releases.

Q: Where did you start in the first summer and where did you complete your international training period?
The first year of the traineeship is always in your country of origin. I commenced with the trainee program at the CPC in Weert, The Netherlands. The first summer, I worked at the credit control department. During the second summer I got the opportunity to go to the head office of Componenta in Helsinki, Finland and worked at the finance department.

Q: Share your experiences of Componenta’s International Trainee Program?
The program is well organized. Each trainee receives a mentor and when I went abroad during the second summer, Componenta took care of the apartment. They also organize meetings with the other trainees to get to know each other and at the end of the summer to share experiences. In addition, I visited both the factories in The Netherlands. It was quite interesting to see how castings are being manufactured. I also got to learn a lot of people in The Netherlands as well as abroad. The traineeship also gave me a great opportunity to experience life in Finland as it is quite different from The Netherlands. I was able to do a lot of sightseeing in the weekends. So, besides gaining a lot of knowledge and working for the best part of the summer, it has been a great experience.

Q: Would you recommend the program? What were the best issues during the program?
I would certainly recommend the program. I had, and still have a great time at the company. My mentors guided me as good as possible and I learned a lot from them. Moreover, Componenta tried to match the preferences of the trainees with available projects as much as possible. I learned a lot during the traineeships and also grew on a personal level. During the second summer I got to manage my own life in a strange environment, among people with a different culture and whose native language I didn’t understand, which had been quite the experience.

Q: After the training program, what career opportunities Componenta has offered to you?
When I returned from my second summer traineeship, I commenced with a one year master International Business with specialization in Controlling. At the same time, I continued to work on a part-time basis at Componenta in The Netherlands. Componenta offered me a contract which allowed me to combine my study with my work at Componenta. During this period I was still involved in the further improvements regarding the intercompany reporting and other performed activities during the traineeship. It is really nice to see that the work you did is being valued and that you’re being included in further developments.