Two years ago, Pim de Leeuw van Weenen started his journey as a Venturn Young Professional. What followed was an educational adventure full of growth, new insights, and an ever-improving understanding of the maritime sector. “These two years have really flown by,” he says. “It feels like I only joined the company a few months ago.”
A Traineeship That Flew By
The Venturn Young Professionals traineeship gave Pim the opportunity to further develop himself in a sector that’s constantly evolving. “In just two years, I’ve been able to really immerse myself in the maritime world, with challenging assignments and valuable trainings every month.”
Of all the trainings, two really stood out for Pim: Lumina and Pitching. “I really enjoyed the Lumina sessions. They were not only fun but also helped me understand my colleagues better. You start to recognize each other’s working styles. And the Pitching training truly made a difference in my daily work. I created a pitch that I can use at any level within an organization. Introducing yourself well immediately puts you one step ahead.”
The informal moments also left a lasting impression. “The Regatta training and the KNRM day were real highlights. You get to know each other in a different way, which makes the group closer.”
Portbase: Understanding the Chain
Pim began his traineeship at Portbase as an Inside Sales Consultant. He was already familiar with the organization from his previous job, where he was a user of the Portbase platform. “It was only when I started working there that I realized how unique Portbase’s position is. You don’t work for just one customer, but for the entire port.”
His assignment revolved around improving Portbase’s registration process. The expected growth in the customer base called for optimizations to make the process easier and safer. “It had to be user-friendly for customers, but also for the employees handling the requests. Becasue in the port, containers always keep moving. A day of delay can lead to enormous costs.”
In addition to this project, Pim worked on internal improvements, such as prociding insight into customer data and building a data model. “At Portbase, I was first introduced to Scrum, Data Management, and process optimization. I was even lucky enough to join sales managers on client visits in the port, which gave me a great understanding of the logistics chain in practice.”
LBC Tank Terminals: Guiding People Through Change
After eleven months at Portbase, Pim moved to LBC Tank Terminals, taking on the role of Business Implementation Consultant. His job was to guide the implementation of two projects in the Netherlands and Belgium.
“In this role, I was responsible for the business side of the implementation. I ensured a smooth landing for the end users and guided departments such as operations, customer service, planning, and dispatch through the change.”
This position required strong communication skills. “One day was training operators, and the next I’d be presenting to the terminal manager or COO. It meant constantly adjusting my communication style. That’s where I really learned how important expectation management is.”
Beyond the technical aspects, Pim also gained insights into the chemical side of the business. “It sometimes felt like revisiting my chemistry lessons, working with cubic meters, tonnages, and liters. What I really enjoyed was working across multiple terminals; it gave me a deep understanding of how operations function.”
Learning, Applying, Growing
During the traineeship, Pim participated in monthly training sessions. The ones that taught him the most and which he still applies in his current role were IPMA-D and Pitching. “The IPMA-D training was intensive, ending with an exam. But I still apply everything I learned there. It helps me to look at projects in a structured way: have we discussed all aspects, how is the communication, who are the stakeholders?”
And then, of course, there was Pitching. “A good pitch really gives you a head start. At LBC, I learned how important it is to introduce yourself properly. People listen differently when they immediately understand who you are and what you’re there to do.Now I have a pitch ready for every level in the organisation.”
The Next Step: Operational Excellence Officer
After completing his traineeship, Pim decided to stay with LBC Tank Terminals, where he’s now growing into the role of Operational Excellence Officer. “I get a lot of energy from this role and am given the freedom to initiate my own improvement projects. The great thing is that I get to explore all parts of the organization and learn something new from every project.”
Nevertheless, Pim remains curious about the future. “This role gives me a good overview of the different directions I could take. Maybe one day I’ll move toward Operations or Business Development, I’m not sure yet. For now, I’m focused on change: guiding people through transitions really energizes me. Ans I’m always open to new opportunities.”
In Conclusion
“The Venturn traineeship helped me find my place in the maritime sector,” Pim reflects. “I’ve learned what gives me energy, how to approach projects, and how important it is to present yourself well. That combination of learning, working, and discovering has truly shaped who I am today.”
