Article InZaken – March 2023

“We are growing rapidly. Until recently, drivers were not part of our services, but due to the ongoing demand from our clients, we decided at the end of last year to also provide drivers.” This decision was made because, according to Nabuurs, it is ‘the next natural step’ within the service portfolio of N2 People. “We recruit our employees across Europe from our own offices and through agents. The step to recruit drivers is relatively small in that sense. The first clients are now operational, and the recruitment of new drivers is in full swing. The Netherlands has a shortage of more than 10,000 drivers. Thanks to our network in the mentioned sectors, we can quickly bring multiple international employees to the Netherlands and train them to work as drivers here. With our expertise and knowledge, we can quickly dive into a new niche if we want to. Expertise, respect, and result-oriented are our core values. We do business here differently than others. This approach is appreciated by both entrepreneurs, including in our region, and by our employees.”

Even better professionals

N2 People recently launched its own Training Academy. “So we can help our employees become even better professionals. We have our own training center in Uden, but our courses are also offered on location in the Land van Cuijk,” continues Nabuurs. According to the director-owner of N2 People, it involves a variety of courses and short training programs. “We actually train all our employees further, so that after a few years – if they decide to return to their home country – they have a better future perspective. Think of courses like EPT, working more efficiently, Lean training, first aid, building scaffolding, you name it.”

At the moment InZaken visits N2 People, about a hundred employees are being prepared for the annual tire change. “Profile, Euro­master, and other tire centers are constantly looking for well-qualified employees who can change tires. Twice a year, around week 11 and week 42, motorists go to their garage or tire specialist for a change from winter to summer tires and vice versa. Almost all garages have a shortage of staff and struggle to find good employees. We respond to that, because we can provide these people.”

Respected and trained

The fact that clients of N2 People can be helped quickly and expertly is not the only reason that a growing number of companies from the Land van Cuijk and North Limburg choose to collaborate with the Brabant staffing agency. “Clients choose us because we have a lot of respect for our employees. One by one, people who are well-trained and treated with respect. It’s quite something to leave home and hearth to earn double in the Netherlands compared to what you earn in your home country,” says Nabuurs. “We are not a company that you call at five o’clock today expecting us to show up tomorrow with a number of temporary workers in a van. They first go through training with us, if desired, so they are well-prepared for the work they will do. That is ultimately best for all parties involved. The entrepreneurs from the Land van Cuijk and North Limburg who do business with us do not want their workers to be unhappy or need to be replaced after a short period. The opposite is often true. Our employees often perform better than the permanent staff. It frequently happens that our people are offered a permanent contract soon after.”

According to Nabuurs, this is because N2 People ‘stays away from the lower end of the market’. “We also pride ourselves on providing the right guidance and good housing for our employees. When we rent houses, we usually upgrade them first so that people can live comfortably. We invest in the quality of living for our employees. I want to take good care of our people. Our housing is almost always located in the center of the village or town, so they can integrate and be part of the local community. It’s not without reason that we are growing from 600 to 800 employees this year,” clarifies Nabuurs. “As N2 People, we have all the certifications and are also a member of ABU. We work according to certain high-quality standards. It’s in our DNA to do things right, and we have employees who are rarely sick and want to work hard. We are continuously working to extend the stay of our employees.”

Sustainable company

At N2 People, they are also already looking at how the company can be prepared for the future. “We are internally assessing the next generation and future leaders within our team. The continuity of the company is secured. We have the right people in the right places. Besides Bas Joosten, our operational director, several talents are already ready. About fifty people of all ages work here. Many of the talented individuals here have done their internships with us first. This gives us the chance to ‘weigh’ them against the N2 People DNA. There is no one here who works without passion. We do it our own way, and that appeals to entrepreneurs.”