Tinkering with bicycles and the future

Daniel Grmay (33) comes from Eritrea and has lived in the Netherlands for over ten years. Finding a suitable job with a future was not easy. But now he works with great pleasure at bicycle repairer Bike Totaal Paul Willemsen in Den Hoorn. “I learn a lot here, and I would like to get further.”

“I have worked for more than ten companies, often without a contract. Sometimes I got a contract for seven months. But it was never really fitting work.” Daniel did all kinds of work: delivering to Flink, thoroughly cleaning cars, working in warehouses, production and logistics. He also tried to earn his money as a photographer and video producer. He taught himself this through YouTube. “That was difficult and stressful, because I had too little experience.”

In 2021 Daniel joined Werkse! Rightly. There he worked at various apprenticeship companies. But it was still difficult to find the right match. Eventually, Daniel was allowed to follow an training program as a bicycle mechanic at The Next Skill. The Next Skill is an initiative that gives people practical training so that they have more opportunities in the labor market. With the help of The Next Skill, Daniel ended up at Bike Totaal Paul Willemsen in Den Hoorn. He was allowed to do an internship there. ‘I like doing technical work.’ And so Daniel started without experience at the bicycle shop.

 Repairing bicycles
With success, because he has been in service for two months. ‘I didn’t know anything about cycling, but I learned everything here. I repair rear tires, front tires, pedals, saddles and brakes. I haven’t done electric bikes yet, but I still want to learn that.” Daniel likes challenges. “I’m asking for difficult jobs, not just the easy ones. Gears of road bikes, for example, that’s really a challenge. Fortunately, I get help when I need it.”

Enthusiastic and handy
Paul Willemsen, the owner and employer of Daniel, says: “We are happy with Daniel as a team. The internship was well arranged and we had nice contact with Werkse!. It is sometimes difficult to find new staff in our industry. This internship is an easy way to get to know people who are interested in the profession. During the internship you get to know each other better. It’s actually already a kind of induction period. This way you notice if there is a click and if the collaboration is going well. Daniel is doing his best. He is enthusiastic, motivated and eager to learn. It is also handy and learns how to assemble quickly. Those are nice qualities. That is why we wanted to continue with him after the internship. There is still a lot to learn in this profession, and we hope that we can work with Daniel for a long time so that he can develop further.”

Dreams and advice
Daniel has big dreams. “If I had a lot of money, I would open a restaurant. Maybe in Eritrea. But I want to continue here in the Netherlands.” He also likes to give advice to others. “I’ve had a lot of jobs, so I know what’s important. Think carefully about work: what does it mean to you? What are you good at? Do something that really suits you and that you can continue to do. My nephew is a carpenter – that’s a profession you can do anywhere, even if you’re older. Just like a hairdresser, for example.”

Grateful and positive
Daniel likes making bicycles – but also working with colleagues and the atmosphere at work. “Yes, it’s good here. I can ask anything. I improve my Dutch, by asking what things mean. He is happy with his work at the bicycle repair shop and his life in the Netherlands. ‘In Eritrea it used to be hard. In Eritrea I had to walk for three hours for water, here you just drink it from the tap. Everything is different, but I’m glad I’m here.”