Last week, a group of 26 of our young potentials took part in the BESIX Potential Academy I. For one week, our Diegem Academy became their learning and working environment, offering time and space to deepen professional skills and build new connections across the Group.
The programme, developed with Vlerick Business School, combines business courses with group assignments. Participants explore leadership, strategy and collaboration while gaining a clearer view of BESIX’s activities and culture. The week ends with a final business case presented to senior executives, giving each group a concrete opportunity to apply what they’ve learned.
Spotlight on the winning business case
This year’s selected project was the “BESIX Field Academy”, a micro-learning programme aimed at reducing recurring quality issues on construction sites. The business case was developed by Melvin (BESIX Denmark), Michael (BESIX Group) and Jonas (BESIX Unitec), coached by Dieter (BESIX Nederland).
Their proposal introduces short, multilingual training videos accessible on workers’ mobile phones through QR codes. The goal is simple: provide clear, practical instructions directly on site at the moment they need them.
The pilot focused on concrete works, rebar installation, and formwork, which represented over half of non-conformities on the A16 project in the Netherlands. Early results show fewer errors, better safety outcomes, and lower costs linked to rework. The team is now looking at how the concept could be extended to other activities and regions to support consistent quality improvement.
The importance of training
“Investing in our people is investing in BESIX’s future. BPA I reflects our first strategic priority: nurturing a culture of growth, providing training, and creating opportunities for every talent to thrive. This is how we build a stronger, more united company.” – Geert Aelbrecht, Chief People Officer at BESIX Group.
A warm thank you to all internal mentors who supported the groups throughout the week. And to all participants who travelled from different countries and took time away from their projects: your engagement made this learning experience meaningful for the entire BESIX community!