The most surprising thing about the traineeship to me was the level of trust that this young and dynamic company gives you. Quite quickly, I was managing my own business without anyone micromanaging me. This gave me a lot of responsibility from the start but also the freedom to learn by doing and to make my own decisions, all this while always having somebody to turn to if did not know how to handle a certain situation.

The trader job is a job like no other to me. We navigate between multiple cultures on a daily basis, manage logistical set ups while constantly looking for that next perfect match between a steel mill and an end customer. On top of that, you also work with financial tools that I had no idea even existed before arriving here. In short, during these last two years I have learned a lot, not only about steel and international trade, but also about negotiation, communication and taking responsibility.

My most memorable experience was my first business trip to China in May 2025. While other business trips have certainly brought me a lot of good memories and stories to tell, China was a completely new world to me, one that we as Europeans do not get to experience very often. Visiting the mills, meeting suppliers face-to-face and seeing the scale of the Chinese steel industry made the whole business much more tangible to me and is an experience I will not forget.

My advice to anyone considering a traineeship at FerroMac would be to be curious and to take every opportunity to get involved. Do not be afraid to ask questions or to take responsibility, even when you are not completely sure of yourself yet. You learn the most by getting out of your comfort zone, and FerroMac is a company that gives you plenty of opportunities to do exactly that.

Never would I have expected to reconnect me with my roots through my job. With my Dominican roots, I secretly hoped to become a trader in this specific market. FerroMac listened and made it happen.”

Camille Perelló, steel trader at FerroMac since 2023.

“As a trader, you build relationships with people all over the world. Working as a trader at FerroMac is a highly dynamic job. In the morning, I may be in contact with suppliers in Asia, while in the afternoon, I’m speaking with customers in Latin America. You are constantly interacting with different cultures. For me, this is what makes trading so interesting.”

“Due to constantly changing geopolitical dynamics, every year brings new challenges and opportunities. One year, a new import duty means you have to look for alternative sources; the next, shifts in market competition may lead you to focus on different products.

This business never sleeps. You always have to stay proactive, adapt quickly, and remain open to change.”

“Your experience or age doesn’t define you. At FerroMac, commitment and initiative are encouraged, which is why you never feel like a ‘number’. The family-oriented and friendly atmosphere gives you the freedom to bring forward new ideas, and people genuinely listen to them.”

What stood out to me most about the traineeship was the combination of structure, mentorship and pace. I was able to learn quickly, guided by fantastic colleagues who gave me significant support and responsibility from an early stage. At every step, the learning curve wasn’t forced; it was driven by my own motivation and curiosity, which gave me the confidence to grow. A major highlight was starting alongside two like-minded, driven peers who had also just graduated. Sharing that journey and learning together was incredibly fun and fulfilling.

The traineeship gave me a hands-on understanding of how global business actually operates. From managing day-to-day interactions with clients, suppliers, banks, insurers and shipping companies to understanding how macroeconomic shifts, geopolitics and natural events can have an immediate impact on supply chains. Especially in a dynamic, energy-driven sector like steel trading, you quickly realise how interconnected everything is.

Over the course of the traineeship, and now as a trader handling Latin American markets, I’ve learned how to navigate these relationships and act as a trustworthy partner. At the end of the day, people – and especially your clients – truly rely on you. Being able to build that trust and turn it into continued business because you are doing a good job is incredibly fulfilling.

One experience that will always stand out is my first business trip to Bolivia. Traveling there to officially represent FerroMac came with a real sense of responsibility, but it was exactly the kind of pressure I thrive on. It really solidified my passion for this business, where I get to interact with people from all over the globe on a daily basis.

For anyone considering the traineeship, I would say: if you’re looking for a fast-paced career in international business, where you are guaranteed growth, continuous learning and real responsibility, and where your input truly makes an impact, don’t look any further.

“The steel business might be a man’s world generally speaking. But at Ferromac, it’s different. You’re one of the team. Man or woman, it makes no difference.” Zoë De Schutter, now a junior steel trader for the African market, started her Ferromac career as a trader trainee in 2018.

“One thing we all have in common at Ferromac is our love for international business. I always loved traveling. In my master years I spent six months in Hong Kong with Erasmus. And now with Ferromac you really get to go places and explore. You’re not just sending emails to Beijing or making phone calls to Lagos.”

“I remember my first trip to Western Africa very well. Me and my senior trader, first stop: Burkina Faso. Not quite your palm beach island. It was exciting and stressful at the same time. Especially for a young inexperienced girl in a country and culture you never met before. It was such a cool experience! And a threshold you have to cross.”

“This is no environment for shy people. It takes guts to get the job done. You’re facing deadlines all the time and need to make decisions fast. You also need to be able to be on your own. When you’re traveling for instance. That comes with a team who really look after you. We even have a dark room for power naps. And you can take up to three off-days a year. This is not your average environment, no.”

Jasper Verleyen | FX Trader

Having experience in working in large enterprises with a strict vertical hierarchy, it was quite a culture shock and took some time to adapt to Ferromac’s corporate culture.

Basically you are given the keys of the car and you are in the driving seat from day one. This allows you to organize your work like you feel fitting but you are also responsible for any dents and scratches caused along the way. In other jobs I would often get frustrated how bad decision making would lead to mediocre results and stressful work situations. Ferromac gave me the chance to take responsibility and put my money where my mouth is. “Own it” is something Bart would say to me.

The world we live in is moving faster everyday.  There are so many moving parts that make it quintessential to make long term plans and use long term projections based on solid and reliable data.  I provide our management with credible scenarios of what is happening and going to happen in markets. How can a rate decision from a central bank impact our company and currency exposure? I firmly believe that if you make a solid planning and you stick to it that will always deliver the best results. It is also the only way you can actually make money in financial markets without emotions getting the better of you.

The thing I appreciate most about Ferromac is the flexibility that works in two ways. You give a lot but you get a lot back. It motivates me to go the extra mile when needed. A great example is the coach our management hired for us. Once a week we do a high intensity work out together and to be honest I am the best shape I have ever been. It helps me to get trough difficult times and especially keep my head up. That is for me the main difference between Ferromac and any other workplace I have been. Being here makes me strive to not be complacent, to work on being a better person and try things I would have never thought possible.