Jomi stands for Jobs and Environment. “We have officially been around for 25 years and it is the third time we have opened our doors during the Voka Open Business Day,” general manager Axel Nevejans welcomes visitors at the entrance to the new site on Drieguizenstraat. “Jomi’s mission is to create sustainable jobs in green areas for people from vulnerable groups in our society.”
Green maintenance
Jomi employs 48 people. “The majority of them in full-time employment. Our employees are usually referred to us via the VDAB. This concerns people who, for one reason or another, are not yet ready to immediately enter the regular labor market,” adds coordinator Wim Maes. “We are active in green maintenance and mainly work for local authorities, educational institutions, large companies and are also active at all Zorgpunt Waasland sites. Our order book is well filled, but new customers are still welcome. Yet we consciously strive not to become too big. Small scale is one of our strengths,” says Stijn Van de Velde, who is responsible for contact with customers.
Course
Within the tailor-made company, Jomi employees receive both technical training and training in work attitude. “Many outside activities involve manual work, but we also work with machines and our people also learn to work in teams. Each team consists of 5 employees together with a tailor-made coach. The ultimate goal is of course to prepare all those people for the regular market. These could be companies in the gardening sector, but other options are also possible. This works for many employees, others stay here for their entire professional career,” the director continues.
Pick and Taste
During Voka Open Business Day, Jomi also presented the new event location ‘Pluk & Taste’. “We have been growing vegetables, fruit and herbs in our organic garden for years, which are sold in our shop. But groups or companies that are looking for an original location for their event can contact us,” concludes Nevejans.
