“What I’m doing now is, unfortunately, great work”

Who are the people who consciously choose to work in the pension sector? What do they do every day to manage your pension? And what makes their work so enjoyable? In the series The person behind your pension, we take you behind the scenes. This time: Niek Roijen is Trainee Coordinator at APG.

You once wanted to be a chef, and now you’re a Trainee Coordinator. How did that switch happen?
“When I was little, I always played with rice, macaroni, pots, and bowls on the floor while my mother was cooking. But in hospitality school, I leaned more toward service and hosting than the kitchen. During my final year, I did an internship and realized that working in hospitality for forty or fifty years wasn’t for me. I wanted more of a challenge. I’m also a generalist—I enjoy many different things. So I studied facility management, a nice broad program. After that, I worked for a few weeks as a temp at insurer Loyalis, helping with the settlement of the Life Course Scheme.”

Was that your entry into the pension world?
“Yes. After that, I worked on other assignments and got to know various departments well. I even made a brief detour to ABP’s call center. Like I said, I enjoy doing lots of different things. That’s really the common thread in my career. Through various roles, I ended up in 2018 in a work experience position in what was then the HR department—now called People & Change—at APG. After six months, they asked me to stay.”

And then you got a permanent position?
“No, I took on a wide variety of roles again. For example, I worked on projects related to leadership and developing awareness training. I also worked on the pre-screening policy. The new policy had already been introduced, but the processes weren’t yet defined. I love solving problems like that. Later, a position opened up on the Young Talent Team for a Trainee Coordinator. That sounded like a great new challenge.”

What appeals to you about this job?
“Again, the diversity. A traineeship is a two-year program that I coordinate from start to finish. From organizing information days and managing the recruitment and selection process, to coaching trainees and their mentors, all the way until the moment the trainees graduate from the program. From day one, I speak with trainees regularly. It’s fascinating to watch how recent college graduates develop and grow. In the first few weeks, they’re really still finding their footing, but then they settle in at APG. Over two years, they complete four six-month assignments, gaining a lot of experience.”

Is there a lot of interest in APG’s traineeships?
“Absolutely! Last year, we had five openings and nearly nine hundred students applied. For my colleagues and me, that meant an intensive selection process. Recruitment has started again, and the new trainees are expected to begin on October 1.”

How do you pick the five best candidates out of nine hundred applications?
“First, we screen based on a few hard criteria, like GPA. Then we look at their motivation and whether their studies align with our traineeships. We’re also interested in what activities they do outside of school.”

How many applicants make it through that process?
“In 2025, one hundred people advanced to an online competency and cognitive test. After that, about thirty students remained for two online interviews and a case assignment. Ultimately, we invited twenty people to Matchday in April—a presentation event and meet-and-greet at the office. So that final group had a one-in-four chance of getting a traineeship contract.”

And meanwhile, your other tasks continue as usual?
“There are two peak periods in my work cycle. First, the recruitment process for new trainees. Then, in April and October, the group that started the previous year moves on to a new assignment. They wrap up their previous assignments with presentations and evaluations. The same goes for the trainees who started two years earlier and either leave the company after graduating from the program in October or possibly move into a position at APG. And then there are regular meetings with trainees and their mentors.”

You probably work full-time?
“I work 36 hours, plus two hours of parental leave. I really enjoy playing with my daughter Nova (10) and my son Lavie (7).”

You’ve been a Trainee Coordinator for two and a half years now. Are you thinking about your own next step?
“I’m letting things come to me. What I’m doing now is, unfortunately, great work. I say ‘unfortunately’ on purpose because I also love rolling up my sleeves and building something new. Setting myself a challenging goal with uncertain feasibility. It sounds arrogant, but when I sink my teeth into something, it usually works out.”

Do you also like setting impossible goals for yourself in your personal life?
“During the pandemic, I started running. It was an APG initiative: cover a marathon distance of a thousand kilometers in stages between March and December. I immediately calculated how many kilometers I’d need to run per day, per week, and per month. Well, ‘run’—I just put on my shoes and went. But that got running into my system. Last year, I ran my fifth marathon, a 43-kilometer trail marathon. A trail means running on unpaved ground—we spent more time in the mud than running. And in June, I’m doing a 50-kilometer marathon in the Ardennes.”

You keep pushing your limits.
“I love an ambitious goal and the journey to get there. I’m not big on strict schedules—I prefer to stay flexible and do my own thing. Since last year, I’ve also started cycling with friends. At first, it was very casual, just for fun. Now we’re planning to ride the Amstel Gold Race this year.”

And what’s left of the boy who wanted to be a chef?
“I still love being in the kitchen and experimenting. Just open the fridge and make something with what’s there. Stews, soups—you can throw in all kinds of things. And then see how it turns out.”

Want to learn more about APG traineeships? See Traineeships at APG | Careers at APG