New batch of BBL apprentices is looking forward to the challenge

Four new BBL students started at the Damen Naval shipyard in Vlissingen-Oost in early September. These Scalda students are following the secondary level vocational training scheme (Beroepsbegeleidende Leerweg in Dutch) which means they combine four days of practical training with one day of theory. In the coming school year, they will spend one of those four practical days at the shipyard and will be supervised by Senior Foreman Cees van Cadsand and Supervisor Welding Leo Dingemanse.

In this edition of Schelde Schakels, first years Anne Koopman, Sem Wisse, Arjen Weststrate and Jayden de Hooge introduce themselves. Also get to know third-year student Vince van Putten, who started in February 2024 and had the opportunity to shake hands with Minister-President Dick Schoof in early September when he visited Scalda’s Technum during a working visit to Zeeland.

Anne Koopman, 24, Welder
“I had electrode welding in secondary school and I really enjoyed that. After working in the hospitality industry for a few years, I wanted to switch career and do something with my hands. I saw Damen Naval on Indeed, came for a day and liked it. What I like most about welding is that it gets better every time. I have a goal for myself that the nicer the weld, the better. My boyfriend works in dredging and, at one time, I considered joining the police or the navy, so I enjoy working on ships for the navy now.”

Sem Wisse, 17, Welder
“I was persuaded by someone I know in Zoutelande to work at Damen Naval. Bastian also works in production here and after we had a tour with school once, I thought it looked nice here. I like putting things together and helping to build the naval ships. I want to learn to do all kinds of welding at all angles and positions. So far, things are going really well, and I enjoy going to the shipyard every week.”

Arjen Weststrate, 27, All-round Production Worker
“I really like naval ships and would like to help build them. I worked in inland shipping before this, but was looking for more variety in my work and started looking for something else. I thought it would be nice to go from sailing ships to building them. I’m looking forward to discovering which parts of the job I will enjoy most, but I think it will be especially fun to see the finished product sailing.”

Jayden de Hooge, 17, All-round Production Worker
“Friends of mine work at Damen Yachting and have a great time there. They invited me to come and have a look and I did, but when I looked further and found Damen Naval, I thought it would be more fun to work here and help build the naval ships. I like the engineering and like to know how everything works and how things are built. I am looking forward to being able to do more independently. I am really enjoying myself and like it here more than at school.”

Vince van Putten, 18 years old, All-round Production Employee
“I first worked for another company for a year and a half, but didn’t really like it there. I started looking for a new company and Damen Naval was the first to respond to my e-mail. I went for an interview and it was such a good interview that I could start working from 1 February. I am enjoying myself because even though it is not very busy right now, I get plenty of things to do. They keep me well occupied. I am in my third and final year and look forward to finishing my training and then getting to work on the naval ships themselves.”

High school students at Damen Naval
Damen Naval has partnered with secondary schools by adopting the elective subject welding at secondary schools CSW and Nehalennia in Middelburg. Since the first week of September, six Nehalennia pupils and six CSW pupils have been coming to Vlissingen-Oost every Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. There, they will learn the basics of welding in Hall 1 in 12 weeks.