By means of: Britta Janssen
Sat May 4, 12:00
General
‘s-HERE ARENDSKERKE – After ten years of gaining knowledge and experience in construction as a carpenter, Julien van Zelst (30) was able to grow into a foreman at an early age. He thinks carpentry is a wonderful profession and still enjoys working, but the Vlissinger is proud to have been an executor at the Fraanje construction company in ‘s-Heer Arendskerke for two years. He travels throughout the province for his work in private housing.
At the age of twenty, Julien started his career in construction, as a carpenter. “I chose to become a carpenter, among other things, because there was a lot of work to be found. And it turned out to be really my thing,” says Julien.
He completed secondary vocational education as a carpenter and all-round carpenter and then continued his education at level four, as an entry point to obtaining his contracting papers. Until he discovered that he prefers working with his hands outside rather than in the office. “I like being outside,” says Julien at the house on Contrabasstraat, in the new-build district Aria, in Goes that is almost ready for delivery. “As a child I always played outside and came home covered in mud. Then this job isn’t too bad, haha. And it pays well.”
Residential construction
He has now grown into an executor. He does this work at Fraanje in private housing. From Monday to Friday, Julien, who works full-time, is busy realizing RiantHuis homes. This is a sustainable building concept from Fraanje for people who have purchased a plot and want to design their own home. Julien’s eyes start to twinkle when he talks about these houses. “With a RiantHuis you are the architect of your own home. My dream is to one day live in it myself.”
A RiantHuis can be realized in different sizes and types, such as notary houses and houses inspired by farms. “Look,” Julien points to a house further down the street, “we built that house there a few years ago and it looks very different from this one.” Home owners can also choose from a wide range of options in terms of building materials and finishing details. Julien has a lot of contact with the future residents of his construction projects and is happy to advise them. “Many people like a dark joint at the bottom and a lighter joint above.”
Communication
In his work – six new-build homes in Kapelle are Julien’s next project – Julien manages his colleagues who build the house, he plans the entire construction process, approves the hours of the staff and is in contact with the parties involved in the construction. These are the homeowners, but also his colleagues from the work preparation department and, for example, the employees of the wholesalers for the supply of all building materials. “Important qualities for this work are being able to plan well and having communication skills, because you work a lot with people. I like that too, because I’m a people person. Sometimes putting out a fire is also part of it, for example if material has not been delivered properly. This makes every working day different.”
Julien usually works from 7 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and is responsible for several homes. He doesn’t have a routine job, Julien explains. “I don’t have to be on one project all day, I look where I am needed most. And I am present during major work, such as when the hood is placed on the house with a crane.” People person Julien is a team player, because he does not speak about his job in the first person. “No, I don’t do it alone, we build the houses together.”
Pupils
A RiantHuis is a great project for students, because you are involved in the construction of the house from start to finish, says Julien, who also guided new colleagues as a teacher. “It is a good basis for learning the carpentry trade.” As a teacher, Julien also discovered that he enjoys directing others. The position of executor came his way more quickly because colleague Adrie is retiring. “Fraanje gave me the opportunity to grow and I am grateful for that. I have learned a lot from Adrie. He really helped me on my way.”
Julien can recommend his work to everyone. The atmosphere at Fraanje, which has approximately 215 employees, is friendly, he can work well with his colleagues and completing a project is always a pleasure. “I have already experienced many beautiful deliveries. The owners are always very happy that their house is ready.”
PASSPORT:
Name: Julien van Zelst
Residence: Vlissingen
Marital status:
Registered partnership with Quinty, father of Aiden and Mason
Function: Executor
Course: Executor
Hobbies: Football, fitness
