Bilfinger recently had the pleasure of hosting a special guest once again: Philippe Muyters, former Flemish minister and now group leader in the Flemish Parliament, joined the VOKA Summer Placement programme. This marks the sixth time Bilfinger has taken part in the initiative, which it sees as a valuable opportunity to share its work, challenges and future ambitions with policymakers.

Philippe Muyters: from VOKA chief executive to Flemish minister

Philippe Muyters has been a member of the Flemish Parliament since 2019 and, since 2024, the N-VA’s group leader. Before that, he was CEO of VOKA and served as Flemish Minister for Work, Economy and Innovation from 2009 to 2019. That unique combination of business leadership at VOKA and government experience made his participation in this parliamentary placement especially relevant. VOKA organises these placements to give politicians first-hand experience of working life and to bridge the gap between policy and practice.

Dual learning: turning policy into practice at Bilfinger

What made this edition particularly meaningful was Muyters’ own role in the development of dual learning in Flanders. In 2018, under his leadership and in partnership with the then Minister of Education, the legal framework for dual learning was established – a pathway where young people combine hands-on work experience with formal education. Bilfinger was one of the early adopters of the scheme. At its Zwijndrecht site, the company runs a welding school to train future welders, alongside a company academy where students can learn trades such as pipefitting, insulation and scaffolding.

A placement day full of insight and craftsmanship

The day began with a presentation for Philippe Muyters and VOKA colleagues, outlining Bilfinger’s profile, its employment opportunities and the challenges it faces. A central message was clear: “If we can’t find talent, we’ll create it ourselves” – a reference to dual learning and Bilfinger’s innovative approach to developing new skills.

After the theory came practice. Participants toured the workshop and welding school and even had the chance to try welding themselves. Wearing PPE, working with precision and paying close attention to safety left a strong impression. Later, under the guidance of experienced scaffolders, the group learned the ropes of scaffolding – with trial and error turning into genuine pride in their final results.

Building future talent together

The day highlighted the importance of collaboration between business, education and government. Thanks to initiatives like VOKA’s and the involvement of policymakers such as Philippe Muyters, dual learning continues to gain momentum. For Bilfinger, the conclusion is simple: investing in talent is not only essential, it is the driving force behind growth.

An international industrial services provider

Bilfinger is an international industrial services provider focused on enhancing the efficiency and lifespan of industrial assets. With around 35,000 employees worldwide, Bilfinger Belgium and the Netherlands deliver services in engineering, maintenance, ISP (insulation, scaffolding and painting) and mechanical works.

The company helps clients improve efficiency and sustainability across sectors including (petro)chemicals, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and energy.