This year, De Lijn is looking for around 600 drivers for the whole of Flanders. About 30 interested people turned up today at the job day in the East Flemish municipality of Destelbergen. A bus driver training course at De Lijn takes at least six weeks. “That is why we are organizing the job day now, so that new employees can be deployed during this summer,” says De Lijn spokesperson Frederik Wittock.
De Lijn has about 6,500 drivers throughout Flanders, of whom about 1,100 work in East Flanders. But the company is in urgent need of new employees. “At the beginning of this year, we had to look for 900 drivers for the whole of Flanders, of whom we have already found 330,” says the spokesperson.
“Working at De Lijn means contributing to better and future-oriented mobility in Flanders,” says Filip Claes, director of Human Resources at De Lijn. “De Lijn is therefore in full swing. Together we are on our way to more sustainability. This dynamic environment offers many opportunities and growth opportunities for our employees.”
This year, 88 drivers are being sought for the regions of Ghent and Sint-Niklaas and another 47 next year. “Ghent and Antwerp in particular are a problem, due to the competition on the labor market with the port”, it sounds. “In Brussels, we experience competition from Zaventem airport.” De Lijn mainly offers very flexible hours and attractive remuneration. There is also its own driving school and the company can take the exams itself. “Whoever starts the training is paid from day one,” says Wittock.
Mahmoud has been working for De Lijn in Gentbrugge for three years now and mainly drives in the center of Ghent. He certainly has no regrets. “I’m just sorry I didn’t do it sooner,” he laughs. Before that, he worked in a pizza shop and a clothing store, among other things. “But here everything is arranged down to the last detail in terms of overtime, remuneration and holidays.” Another plus, according to colleague Hendrik, is the family atmosphere. “In all that time I’ve never had anyone who wouldn’t help me.”
Finally, anyone who wanted to could get behind the wheel of a bus to take a ride on the grounds of the depot in Destelbergen. “Next week there will be a job day in Antwerp, followed by Leuven and Ostend, among others,” says Wittock. “But today I am certainly satisfied. About 35 people were registered in advance, of whom about thirty showed up. That is certainly a good turnout.”
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.