Meet the people | From Electrician to HRD Business Partner: Chris Testerink’s Inspiring Career Journey

At AWL, we believe in growth and development—not only for our technology but especially for our people. One shining example of this is the career journey of Chris Testerink, our HRD (Human Resource Development) Business Partner. Chris has been with AWL since 2007, and his story demonstrates how passion, perseverance, and a touch of boldness can lead to growth within our high-tech organization.

The beginning: an internship that sparked a career
It all started in 2005 when Chris, then a student, attended a guided tour at AWL. “During that tour, I thought, if I can do my final internship here, maybe I can stay and work here too.” In 2007, he made that dream a reality and joined AWL as an electrician after completing his studies. His drive quickly stood out, and before long, he was supervising interns and taking on leadership responsibilities.

From Team Leader to Learning & Development
Chris’s ambition for continuous self-improvement led him to explore various roles within AWL. From head electrician to team leader of multidisciplinary teams, such as jig construction and robot-PLC programming, he tackled every challenge with determination. Along the way, he continued to expand his knowledge, including pursuing a teacher training program in electrical engineering. This deepened his technical expertise and provided insights into developmental psychology.

His passion for development and training grew alongside his career. Eventually, Chris transitioned to Learning & Development (L&D) and later to his current role as HRD Business Partner. “I often jokingly say that I ended up in technology by accident, but I truly love working in this field while also having a passion for helping people grow. At AWL, these two passions go hand in hand.”

HRD Business Partner: Inspiring and Connecting People
For the past two years, Chris has been working as an HRD Business Partner at AWL, a role in which he enthusiastically focuses on the development of individuals and teams. His work centers around three key pillars:

1. Learning & Development: Inspiring and facilitating learning within AWL. “I believe that learning must come from within; you can’t force the grass to grow faster by pulling on it.”
2. Coaching: Guiding both individuals and teams/departments in their development and collaboration, not only in the Netherlands but also at our international locations, such as in the U.S. and soon in Mexico.
3. Educational Partnerships: Building bridges between educational institutions and the technical sector. He achieves this by giving guest lectures, leading workshops, and sharing knowledge with other companies and organizations.

Proud Achievements
Chris takes pride in his contributions to various projects at AWL, but if he had to highlight one, it would be the 100-day program for new robot and PLC programmers. “We’ve developed an onboarding program that prepares new technical colleagues for our machines in a short amount of time. That’s something AWL can truly be proud of.”

He also fondly recalls his participation in an international TWI conference in Venice, where he shared AWL’s story with professionals from around the globe.

AWL: High-Tech and People-Oriented
When asked to describe AWL in one sentence, Chris says, “AWL is high-tech with a focus on individuals and people. Without our people, we wouldn’t achieve this level.”

His story is an inspiring testament to the possibilities that arise when technology and personal growth go hand in hand.