After all, we have to ‘produce’ young people who can pay for our pensions

When you meet Peter Stounberg, aged 56, and Rasmus Bertelsen, aged 27, there is no doubt that they work in harmony as a strong team, despite their differences in age and experience. At the time of writing, they are working together on DS Flexhal’s Sekura Cabins project in Randers – their fourth project together.

Peter Stounberg is married to Liselotte – they live in Hinnerup and have a 25-year-old son, Christian.
Peter has been employed by DS Flexhal as a project manager for just over seven years, having joined from Dansk Halbyggeri in Galten. Peter trained as an engineer at Aarhus Technical College back in the 1980s, so he has the experience to serve as a senior mentor to the younger Rasmus Bertelsen.

Rasmus Bertelsen is a native of Hobro – he and his fiancée, Janne, have just broken ground on their new house in Hørby Skoleby (and yes, you can hear wedding bells ringing – he has bought the rings).
Rasmus started at DS Flexhal as an intern and is now permanently employed as a project manager. Rasmus originally trained as a bricklayer at Handest Murer & Entreprenør, but decided to continue his studies and become an architectural technologist at University College of Northern Denmark in Aalborg. He completed the three-and-a-half-year course in January 2017 and took a student job at DS Flexhal in February, before being employed ‘properly’ in September 2017.

Interns receive a great deal of attention

“At DS Flexhal, we invest a great deal in our interns. After all, they are our future, and they are the ones who will be paying our pensions,” says Peter. “It is important to give young people responsibility so that they learn to stand on their own two feet. Most of our interns have been employed after completing their studies – we usually tell them, ‘Hurry up and graduate, then come back.’”

“As an inexperienced student, it is important to gain hands-on knowledge and adopt the mindset of the real world.”

– Rasmus Bertelsen

“Whether DS Flexhal has been lucky enough to find the most talented people, or whether we have been good at shaping them, I do not know – perhaps it is a combination. But we are doing something right, and now they have even been given their very own car – the ‘Intern Chariot’,” says Peter with a hint of scepticism in his voice. “They had better not drive recklessly, because they will certainly be seen!”

Peter and the intern

“I have taken Rasmus under my wing since he began his internship and throughout the nearly four projects we have completed together. He was given a permanent position because he is a ‘good lad’,” Peter emphasises.

“We have worked together on jem & fix, DAKA, Danish Agro and the administration building at Nature Planet, and Rasmus is now almost ‘ready to fly’ and take charge of his own projects.”

Peter Stounberg takes pride in training young people properly. He tries to include them and delegate responsibility so that, by completing tasks, they acquire knowledge from the ‘real’ world.

“I have great confidence in the young interns – you simply ask whether they are willing to tackle a particular task, and fortunately, most of them enthusiastically rise to the challenge,” Peter explains. “And, of course, they will receive feedback or a helping hand if they go astray.”

The intern and Peter

Rasmus Bertelsen explains that finding a good internship where you are allowed to participate in every phase of a project is absolutely crucial.

“As an inexperienced student, it is important to gain hands-on knowledge and adopt a real-world mindset. At DS Flexhal, you are thrown in at the deep end, and that is how you learn to swim – you simply progress faster when you know that the tasks you are working on will actually be put to use. And I never doubted that an experienced colleague was standing by with good advice and a lifebuoy – if necessary,” Rasmus smiles.

“…and they will, of course, receive feedback or a helping hand if they go astray.”

– Peter Stounberg

“But we can also teach the ‘old hands’ a trick or two – we come straight from our studies with the latest knowledge of IT and software, and although Peter believes you can go a long way with pencil and paper, we young people also have some knowledge to contribute,” Rasmus laughs.

Friends and foes

It is obvious that Peter and Rasmus speak the same language when it comes to construction projects, and they are also quick to agree that football is the best thing in the world. But that seems to be where a little tension arises… As Peter’s accent so clearly suggests, he is a die-hard AGF supporter, while Rasmus is a dedicated Viborg FF fan – with a VERY capital VFF. So much so, in fact, that you might wonder whether all that football is really healthy. AND whether Rasmus is truly a genuine Hobro lad – hmmm?

But whether Peter and Rasmus are talking about construction projects or football, it is clear that the two have good chemistry and a strong working relationship. And now, as Rasmus is on the verge of getting ‘his own’ project, you also sense that ‘Dad’ is proud and ready to send ‘the lad’ on his way.

About the Author

Annemarie (Fie) Baumann

With her solid experience as both a graphic designer and art director, Fie sets the visual direction for communication across the companies in DS Gruppen. With a sharp eye for design, she ensures that the visuals support the message and capture attention. Fie also brings many years of experience as both a writer and photographer, including from her time working in publishing and running her own advertising agency. Her background also includes extensive experience with visual communication for both B2B and B2C audiences.