Eighteen years ago, love brought her from Poland to Belgium. So Ania knows better than anyone else how it feels to move to and work in a foreign country. With this experience and her knowledge of the language, Ania, as an IDM Coach, turns out to be the ideal daily guide for foreign temporary workers who want to walk the same path. As soon as you are hired as a candidate, Ania accompanies you throughout the entire process and with every question.

It was in her homeland of Poland that Ania ran into her future husband, a Belgian. With butterflies in her stomach, Ania chose the path of love and flight to Belgium. After working a few other jobs, twelve years ago she signed her permanent contract with IMPACT, where today she is the confidant for every foreign temporary worker who starts work in Belgium. Because who better to assist and understand them than an experience expert who made the same decision?

Despite her lack of knowledge of Dutch, Ania found a job fairly quickly after her arrival in Belgium. “I started working in a call center during the first few years, so I could lean on my English knowledge. Meanwhile, I took Dutch classes for four years. I then worked as a dispatcher for a while before finally opting for an internal job at IMPACT in 2009. I was received tremendously well there and immediately felt at home, because IMPACT was already an international company.”

IMPACT launched a new concept shortly before Ania’s arrival: International Distance Matching, IDM for short, which recruits foreign specialists in construction and engineering. “There were originally only two of us: my colleague took on the role of recruiter, while my focus was on the administrative side. In the meantime, our department has grown larger and larger and my duties have become more extensive. Since 2020, we have split our team into recruitment, administration and coaching. I myself work as a coach where I am in constant contact with temporary workers.”

In the sports world, a coach is someone who guides and follows you very closely as an individual. In her role, Ania basically does just that. “My job starts when a foreign candidate is recruited by our recruiters for a particular vacancy. I contact them and follow the entire process very closely. Both before, during and after their trip, I am their first contact and the one they can call when problems arise or things need to be arranged.”

Indeed, IMPACT looks far beyond the job alone. “I actually organize everything for the foreign candidates. I make sure that they can stay in a hotel during their first night in Belgium and meet with them the very next day to give them all the necessary input: think about info on insurance, registration with the city or municipality, their rights and obligations, etc. In short, I give them all the necessary information and reassure them. Then I accompany them to their apartment, because IMPACT arranges residential-friendly housing for every foreign temporary worker.”

The choice to leave your homeland behind for a job abroad is not an obvious one. Ania dared to take the step to try her luck in Belgium, knows how it feels and can rightfully recommend candidates do the same. “Belgium is a country with many opportunities that is open to foreign workers. You get opportunities to develop yourself and build a career, without origin playing a decisive role. The supply is also great: if you want to work, you can always find a job in Belgium.”

And what about the cultural differences? “That’s not too bad. Of course, each country has its own traditions, principles, etc. But in the end we are all broadly the same: we also make every effort to put everyone at ease right away and settle in quickly. We therefore listen carefully and take into account the personality and skills of the candidates. Moreover, they often end up in companies where other IDM employees are already working and a community has been built up in the meantime. This makes their integration smoother, something for which they are very grateful.”

Choosing Belgium is one thing, but why do foreigners choose IMPACT? “Actually it is crystal clear: on the one hand because we can offer them a suitable job, but on the other hand because we completely unburden them in every other area, such as administration and housing. IMPACT has built up enormous expertise and experience over the years and has developed a strong process that allows foreign temporary workers to start working here with peace of mind.”

That expertise is combined with a personal approach. “We literally speak the candidate’s language: Dutch, English, French, Polish, Romanian … Because never underestimate how far-reaching the consequences of a language barrier can be. Because of that in-house language knowledge, we can immediately put every IDM’er at ease. Of course, we leave everyone as free as they want, but IDM’ers know they can knock on our door if they have questions or problems. We often get affirmative compliments from them that we are very helpful: that’s gratifying.”

“By always being there for our foreign temps: they are well aware that they have a backup who speaks their language when they need information, feel bad or lonely … They know they can trust me and count on my support. I have a thorough and broad knowledge in the IDM field after 12 years, so I can assist them in many areas. This is very much appreciated by the temps.

What is also nice: I get to know candidates not only as employees, but also as persons. That aspect is crucial: I have heard so many happy, but also sad stories that move me every time. You should not forget that choosing a job already changes your life profoundly, but when you also decide to go abroad, it is an additional factor that should not be underestimated. So I do everything in my job to make a difference for our temporary workers.”