The work was there, but the structure was missing
Werklab Pekela, part of the social enterprise Afeer, supports people who face challenges entering the job market.
Operating in the municipalities of Oldambt, Pekela, and Westerwolde, Afeer provides work opportunities to over 900 individuals with employment limitations. Within that mission, Werklab serves as an accessible and supportive environment where people gain work experience through the handyman service or thrift store – offering a practical and meaningful learning setting.
But turning good intentions into effective execution proved challenging.
“The administrative process took up a large part of our time,” says Tim Renders, site manager at Werklab Pekela.
“Every day we received new requests, had to update appointments, change routes. Everything was done manually on paper. And honestly, it just didn’t work anymore.”
Manual planning turned out to be time-consuming, error-prone, and frustrating.
“You’re constantly putting out fires. Deliveries could get delayed, or employees were left confused. That’s not good – not for us, and certainly not for the people we’re here to support.”
First impression of vPlan: simplicity and recognition
When Tim first came across vPlan, he was immediately impressed.
“The layout caught my eye right away. It looked clean and effective – no clutter. Most importantly, it felt like something that matched our team and the people we work with.”
That first impression proved right during the trial period.
No complicated systems with endless dropdowns, but a tool built around clarity, structure, and ease of use.
“It aligned perfectly with how we want to work.”
The turning point
Since switching to vPlan, the way Werklab operates has completely changed.
“We have clarity now. We can respond faster. And we’re seeing our team take on more responsibility themselves,” Tim says.
The planning is now fully visible in the app. Employees can check what’s on the agenda, plan tasks themselves, and take ownership of their work.
“That’s incredibly valuable for people in a learning trajectory. They gain both visibility and trust – and you can see that reflected in their attitude.”
The team also notices the improvement. Whether it’s adjusting routes, dividing tasks, or answering customer questions – everything flows more smoothly and with less noise. Thanks to the app, much of this can even be done remotely.
“We no longer have to stand next to someone to offer support or direction.”
“We’ve regained calm in our process. Our people are getting the space to take ownership, and we can focus on what truly matters: development, guidance, and progress.”
Service that makes a difference
“You offer quick, concrete, and personal support,” Tim adds.
“You understand our challenges, know how to handle similar situations, and help us get the most out of the system. I really appreciate your fast service and the simple videos that explain new updates so clearly. The system is built in a way that lets me make changes myself to keep optimizing our workflow. And the fact that there’s room to contribute our own ideas through the suggestions box – that’s a real bonus.”
