From intern to specialist: Gio & Menno on Hydraulics

Gio is just a little shy of celebrating 20 years with KLM. Over the years, he’s worked across multiple departments and gotten up close with countless aircraft. Menno, on the other hand, is just starting his journey, but with just two years under his belt he's already making his mark.

What connects them? A shared passion for technology and the drive to keep growing within KLM. They both work in the Hydraulic Shop, and they’re more than happy to share what makes their work there so unique, and why they love doing it every day.

Menno’s career switch to Hydraulics

“I started out as an IT specialist, but soon realised that something was missing,” says Menno. He decided to change careers. “After working in an administrative position, I eventually ended up in the Hydraulics department. To acquire the necessary technical knowledge, I followed a BBL programme, which has now led me to become a fully-fledged aircraft mechanic.”

Working in the Hydraulics Shop means working on essential aircraft components, from hydraulic systems to cooling units and power supply systems. As a Hydraulic Engineer, you carry out repairs and maintenance, challenging your technical skills on a daily basis. And if you’renot quite there yet? No problem, an experienced engineer is always on hand to teach you the tricks of the trade.

Menno started as a second mechanic and has since progressed to the role of first mechanic.

Gio emphasises Menno's determination: “Menno is a fantastic example of the opportunities that KLM offers. Where there's a will, there's a way.”

A bit of IKEA furniture — but more complex
An important part of the job is reading technical drawings. “Think of it as a bit of IKEA furniture, but with thousands of parts and no room for error!” says Menno. “You need to know exactly how everything fits together. Fortunately, you get plenty of guidance and learn as you go.”

Gio nods and laughs. “And sometimes you need more than just technical skills, brute strength also comes in handy. We barely need to go to the gym anymore! In the past, three of us have literally hung from a steel pole, using our body weight to loosen a stubborn part.”

The combination of physical and technical work makes the job demanding but it also offers lots of room for growth.

Together Strong
The team Gio and Menno work in is diverse. ‘Our oldest colleague is around sixty, the youngest is 23. That makes it a dynamic environment,’ says Menno. ‘We laugh and joke a lot; sometimes it’salmost too much fun! But when it counts, we work really hard.’ Gio adds, ‘Colleagues really make the day ten times better. The atmosphere is invaluable.’

Everyone also has their own responsibilities. ‘You work on your own component, but we also plan together and support each other where needed,’ explains Menno. ‘New colleagues get a buddy who guides them through the entire process.’

Additional Benefits of Working at KLM
Besides opportunities for progression, the additional employment benefits make the job appealing. ‘One of the best perks is the ISA (If Seat Available) travel scheme,’ says Gio. ‘It means you can fly with KLM and other airlines at a reduced rate. Perfect if you love travelling!’

There are also plenty of options for flexible working hours and overtime arrangements. ‘Colleagues are often happy to accommodate swaps or extra hours,’ adds Menno. ‘And if you want to keep developing? There’s plenty of room for that here.’

What makes the work especially rewarding? ‘There’s a lot of respect for each other,’ says Gio. ‘Belief, background, ethnicity, none of that matters here. As long as you have technical knowledge and the desire to learn, this is the place for you. KLM doesn’t just offer a job, but a real future.’