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Drillforeurope

Online platform for HDD job opportunities, Connecting 120 companies.

21/08/2026

In horizontal directional drilling a lot of the work is learned in practice, out on the jobsite. But once you are part of the industry, there are plenty of ways to keep developing your skills. In our latest article, Henk Kruse, HDD expert and consultant at Deltares, explains how this Dutch knowledge institute for water, soil and underground infrastructure supports both sides of HDD through its training: the design knowledge needed before drilling starts and the practical knowledge needed to carry out projects safely on site.

Read the full interview here https://drillforeurope.com/blog/hdd-training-deltares-design-execution/

19/08/2026

Imagine having a pilot drill named after you…

Three years ago, Camila Sanchez Prado was looking for a new challenge. After working as Engineering Manager on a pipeline project in the UK, she took a different direction and stepped into her first commercial role within the HDD industry at international drilling company HDI.

"Thanks to this UK experience and the strong relationships built during that project, combined with an incredible organisation of experts, we have quickly secured important new contracts in this dynamic period of our history. But beyond this collective achievement – and the colleagues who welcomed me so warmly – my greatest personal recognition came from another moment..."

On a major project in Scotland, the team decided to name their first pilot drill after her. A special gesture and an unusual one too. While naming is common in microtunnelling, Camila had never seen a pilot drill given a name before.

Not a bad career milestone, right? Thanks for sharing your story, Camila!

10/08/2026

Take a look at Marie Hartmann’s office for the day.

As a forewoman and machine operator in small-scale drilling at Bohlen & Doyen Bau GmbH, Marie leads her own jobsites and works closely with site and project managers to deliver projects safely and efficiently.

From completing her training to taking responsibility on site, her journey shows the opportunities a career in HDD can offer.

22/07/2026

☀️ Summer break? A moment to pause and think about your next step...

Maybe you are already lying on a beach towel, staring at the sea with a cold drink nearby. Make the most of that distance from your daily routine. Because stepping away often helps you see things more clearly. Do I still like what I do? Am I ready for something more practical, technical or future-focused? Could a career in HDD be a fit for me?

Take the career test on Drill for Europe and discover which role in horizontal directional drilling might suit you best. https://drillforeurope.com/career-test/

09/07/2026

He started out as a young lad, following in his father’s footsteps. Today, Remco van Dorp works as a freelance site manager, running complete projects for companies including Hanab Pipelines & Industry. Three questions for Remco...

1. How did you get into HDD?
Through my father, who has been in the industry for around 40 years. When I was a young lad of about 13, I used to go along with him on Saturdays and during the school holidays. I started by washing and cleaning the equipment, cars and trucks. Before long, they were a man short on a project, so I was brought in as an extra pair of hands for the HDD work. From there, I just kept taking the next step.

2. What is your current role and what do you enjoy about it?
My current role is often as site manager on projects or drilling operations. What I really enjoy is the freedom. I can move in different directions and take ownership. I also like the challenge and the preparation: working things out beforehand and shaping the project in the way I think it should be done.

3. What would you say to young people considering HDD?
It is great work, always out in the fresh air. It is a real team sport, and you often spend 24 hours a day with your colleagues. As long as you are driven and willing to put the work in, you can go a long way in HDD.

01/07/2026

“I would say my main focus is salary.”

Jake Cockcroft didn’t plan to end up in HDD. After studying Medical Science, he was heading for a world of research and refined equipment. Today, he’s out on site, working in the mud with heavy machinery.

“If you can handle working away from home and the long hours, the salary can be very rewarding. I like the idea of having my own independence and if I work hard and learn well, I may progress to be a driller. I would say my main focus is salary,” Jake shares.

At the same time, there’s more to it than that. “The money is a good incentive, but learning new skills is great too. The diversity that we deal with on a daily basis keeps the job interesting and I’ve met some cracking friends since joining the company. If you work hard, you can play hard.”

Read the full story here: https://drillforeurope.com/blog/it-runs-in-the-family-the-cockroft-story-and-how-hdd-keeps-pulling-them-in/

29/06/2026

Michels Trenchless GmbH is looking for an experienced HDD Driller (m/f/d) to join their growing team. Work on major infrastructure projects, operate industry-leading equipment and be part of a company where safety, innovation and teamwork come first.

+ Above-average salary and allowances
+ 3 weeks on, 1 week off rotation
+ Accommodation close to project sites
+ Exciting projects supporting the energy transition

Think you've got what it takes? Check https://drillforeurope.com/vacancy/hdd-driller-m-f-d/

23/06/2026

HDD dictionary: phase 3 begins: Determining & Measuring the Drilling Direction

1. Entry point: point where the drill bit initially enters the ground, at the start of the drilling works.
2. Entry angle: angle with horizontal under which the drill bit is pushed into the ground at the entry point.
3. Exit point: point where the pilot drill ends.
4. Exit angle: Angle with horizontal under which the drill bit exits the borehole. Has major effect on overbend, especially when pulling steel pipes.

Got something to add? Share it with us, we’re shaping this series together!

12/06/2026

“Women in leadership roles on the jobsite? Absolutely possible. And we need more of them.”

That was the clear message from Marie Hartmann of Bohlen & Doyen Bau GmbH during the 2nd DCA Spring Talks in Aachen. She shared inspiring insights into her daily work and her wide range of responsibilities in horizontal directional drilling. And Marie was not the only woman on stage.

Hosted by the WE-HDD Group, the event brought together professionals from across Europe for a day of presentations, conversations and an interactive workshop. With many female speakers sharing their expertise, experiences and career paths, the event showed that women are already helping shape the future of HDD.

For young women who are exploring their next step, that matters. Because HDD might not be the first industry that comes to mind. But it is a sector where technical skills, curiosity, teamwork and problem-solving are highly valued. On the jobsite, in engineering, in project management, in safety, in planning and in leadership.
Through initiatives like WE-HDD, supported by , the industry is making these stories more visible and keeping the conversation about inclusion moving.

Curious what a career in HDD could look like? Visit https://drillforeurope.com/ and read more stories from women working in the industry.

10/06/2026

Three questions for ... In this Q&A, co-owner and senior engineering consultant Fabiola Schnau, gives an insight into her career in HDD: from the technical challenges and variety of the work to her experience as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, and her advice for young professionals entering the field.

1. What appeals to you about HDD?
"For me, HDD is a highly demanding, practical and future-oriented technical field, offering great variety, continuous development and the opportunity to contribute to truly exceptional projects."

2. How doe you experience working as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry?
"Naturally, at the beginning there was a brief thought as to whether, as a woman, I would be accepted in this environment. However, that concern quickly disappeared during my early site experiences. With a certain level of self-confidence, good preparation and a natural approach, I found that people treated me with respect and that prejudices did not need to become the focus."

3. What is your advice for young professionals?
"My personal advice would be: always believe in yourself and have the courage to explore new paths. At first, many things may appear complex or intimidating, but with commitment, willingness to learn and perseverance, you grow into every challenge."

Read the full interview with Fabiola: https://drillforeurope.com/blog/three-questions-for-fabiola-on-technology-trust-and-finding-your-place-in-hdd/

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