When Dimitris joined Weka Marine, it didn’t take long for his colleagues to notice his eagerness to learn and his ability to quickly grasp complex problems. One of his standout achievements came early on: mastering Fusion 360 (CAM software) in a short time so the team could program their CNC machine in-house. Along the way, he encountered multiple technical challenges — but with persistence and resourcefulness, he found solutions and kept the work moving forward.
At Weka Marine, authenticity matters. As the team puts it: “Dimitris is, like we expect from everyone here, simply himself. No masks, just enjoying working with colleagues.”
Of course, starting in a new country came with its hurdles. While English is the common language in the office — especially when working with international clients — building a deeper connection requires effort from both sides. The team adjusted along the way, making sure Dimitris felt truly part of the group.
From a performance perspective, Dimitris exceeded expectations. His proactive nature stood out — identifying potential problems and often suggesting possible solutions before they became issues. As his manager shared: “He’s a great person to work with, both professionally and personally. We value how he takes ownership and thinks ahead.”
For Dimitris, the experience has been equally rewarding: “I’ve had the chance to work in R&D, production, and engineering — more than I expected. I enjoy the variety, solving real engineering problems, and being part of new product development.”
Working at Weka Marine has also been a crash course in Dutch work culture. It taught him to be more independent, take initiative, and gain confidence as an expat. His technical skills grew as well — from CNC operation to CAM programming and efficient design methods. Both Weka Marine and Dimitris praise the role of Port of Opportunities in making the match possible. The company highlights the importance of extra guidance for newcomers on Dutch workplace rights and obligations, while Dimitris appreciates the initial support that helped him settle in.
When asked if they would recommend hiring newcomers, Weka Marine’s answer is clear: “Absolutely! We’ve only had positive experiences — but we’re also careful to select people who fit our company culture. And we’re very happy with the candidates Port of Opportunities has brought us.”
Dimitris would also encourage other newcomers to take this step: “It’s a strong entry point into the Dutch engineering market — especially if you’re motivated to grow fast.”