Discover Nico's story

I am now working in my dream job as a Plant Manager of Touwsriver solar plant in South Africa. However, it was a long and stoney path getting here. I qualified as an Electrician in 2017, facing a challenging job market where opportunities were scarce. After several short-term jobs, I first connected with JUWI in 2019, working as an Electrician for a subcontractor on a solar power project. I immediately fell in love with the company and its people. The sense of professionalism, paired with teamwork and positivity, inspired me and I knew that I wanted to work for this company. In 2020, I seized the opportunity to work as a Field Assistant on a fixed-term contract for JUWI. Despite the job being over 800 kilometers away, I committed. When the supervisor was on leave, I was trusted to fill in. Unfortunately, when the contract ended, there was no job for me at that time. Of course, I was disappointed. However, I was also grateful for what I had learned and eager to keep fighting for my goal to work for JUWI.

I worked for another company for a while and quickly noticed that the standards were very different from those of JUWI. Every day I checked the JUWI job vacancies online. In 2022 I applied for the position of Zone supervisor for Waterloo PV plant and got the job. When the position of Plant Manager was advertised a year later, I wasn’t sure if I stood a chance. However, my co-manager encouraged me to apply. Since 2023 I have been in my dream job, working as a Plant Manager. It has been a tremendous journey, and I am so grateful for the people who believed in me. Now I want to inspire others who are equally struggling, as I once was, to see the greatness in themselves and take a chance. 

First and foremost, never give up. Your time to shine will come if you believe in yourself. Also, work hard and never miss an opportunity. My advice is not to take shortcuts. Of course, everyone wants to win the gold medal, but you have to run the race first. When I guide my team, I aim to lead them along the path I have walked myself. Gather as much experience as possible, and find people who see your potential, even when you don’t. It’s like looking in the mirror; you see only a part of yourself, while others can see the whole picture. Choose a job you’re passionate about, in a company that values you and helps you reach your full potential.

I realized that the company culture at JUWI is exceptional from my very first contact with the company. Although I started as a subcontractor, JUWI employees treated me as an equal and made me feel included. Working as a Plant Manager can be challenging because of the great responsibility that rests on you. If it wasn’t for the great team standing behind me, I wouldn’t be able to do this job for long. My colleagues make me smile every day; we are like a big family all working towards a common goal. I really enjoy our annual team buildings and our annual get-together with all South African employees and management in Cape Town. When we come together, the air is filled with laughter. Together, we celebrate our milestones and reflect on the past year. In my job I have the pleasure of working with many different people. We simply have a great time working together as well as outside of work, for example at our monthly braai (barbeque) on site or our chess sessions during lunchtime.

I also feel the Power of Our Unity in my superiors, who are happy to share their knowledge and help me grow to my full potential. At JUWI I was very quickly given responsibility. The level of openness and trust is something I have not found in any other company. I am excited to be part of the renewable energy transition, working with my colleagues and being able to give other young electricians the same opportunities I once received. Helping others achieve their dreams has become as meaningful to me as achieving my own.