Six Scalda apprentices following vocational training (BBL) courses at Damen Naval have passed! The Vlissingen-based naval shipbuilder started training young talent again in September 2021. Four of the now successful BBL apprentices were among that first batch and will officially join the Damen Naval team from 1 August. Jonas van der Heijden (22), Hubert Dametka (24) and Youri van Putten (19) have passed their level 3 diploma and Jurgen Dronkers (18) has completed his level 2. Marco Jobse (19) and Angelo Tokaay (49) started in September 2022 and also both recently passed their level 2.

For his final test, Jonas made a drip tray. For his final test, Jonas made a drip tray.

All students had to take an aptitude test as a test of their knowledge and skills. For construction worker Jonas, the task was to make a foundation and drip tray for a pump. He is happy to have completed the first part of his course, but is not done learning yet. “I still want to continue for my level 4. I am still enjoying myself at Damen Naval. Over the past few months, we all made 183 ladders for the F126 project. It was a big project and a lot of fun. The ladders had different lengths from 1 to 7 metres and we made our own moulds. Just as we finished school, the ladders were also finished.”

Construction worker Hubert also made a foundation for his final test and is already making plans for his future at Damen Naval. “I am happy that I was able to sign a contract and that school is finished. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m still really enjoying myself. I want to continue for my level 4 and hope to work in work preparation or something in that direction in the future. In the meantime, I look forward to working on the Combat Support Ship when it comes to Vlissingen.”

Senior Foreman Cees van Cadsand who supervises the construction worker apprentices is pleased with the success of “his” boys. “They worked hard for it and we put in a lot of time, but that’s part of our job. And then when they succeed, you get something in return. I am extremely proud.”

The BBL students and their supervisors pose by the ladders they made for the F126 project. Front row from left: Cees van Cadsand, Jonas van der Heijden and Marco Jobse. Back row: Angelo Tokaay, Hubert Dametka, Youri van Putten, Jurgen Dronkers and Leo Dingemanse. The BBL students and their supervisors pose by the ladders they made for the F126 project. Front row from left: Cees van Cadsand, Jonas van der Heijden and Marco Jobse. Back row: Angelo Tokaay, Hubert Dametka, Youri van Putten, Jurgen Dronkers and Leo Dingemanse.

Welder Youri had to make a box of pipes for his final test in which he showed different welding processes including steel, stainless steel, electrode, TIG and MIG MAG welding techniques. “It was fun to do,” he says. “I want to get even better and get more diplomas. I also want to go further for my level 4. But first I’m going to Den Helder for a few weeks to help with work on the Johan de Witt.”

Marco started in 2022 as an apprentice welder and has just passed his level 2. He too will join Damen Naval from 1 August. “As a final test, I also had to weld a box, but without pipes and only steel welding. I will definitely continue for level 3, because that is better. I am happy with my contract because I enjoy working here.”

“They worked hard for it and we put in a lot of time, but that’s part of our job. And then when they succeed, you get something in return. I am extremely proud.” Cees van Cadsand

Welder Jurgen decided to explore another field of study after his first year at Damen Naval, but returned in 2022. “I’m glad I came back. I am really enjoying myself although I still want to continue learning for other certificates and keep improving. I would like to learn TIG welding. Soon I will also go to Den Helder to help with the sprinkler installation of the Johan de Witt.”

At 49, Angelo is the oldest BBL apprentice. Although he already had experience as a welder, he lacked the certificates. He has now passed his level 2. “Level 2 is a good start, but I want to progress to level 3 because most projects require it. It’s not easy, but if I have level 3 soon, I can find work until my retirement without any problems.”

The welders have been supervised by Supervisor Welding Leo Dingemanse since this year. “I am happy and proud that they have succeeded. You try to make talents out of them and it becomes more and more fun to supervise them. The average age at the shipyard is quite high and if we want to be able to carry out production in Vlissingen, we need to rejuvenate and be able to transfer our knowledge in time. I have been here for 35 years now and I hope these guys will still be here in 35 years. We’ll see.”

For his test, Youri combined different metals and welding techniques. For his test, Youri combined different metals and welding techniques.

For Head of Production Martin Wattel, the cooperation between Damen Naval and Scalda is very important. Now that there is more clarity on the future of Vlissingen-Oost – the shipyard will become a state-of-the-art outfitting site for the various construction projects for the Royal Netherlands Navy – more plans for the future can start to be made. “This is the first batch of apprentices we have trained ourselves in a long time. That is very important for the continued growth of the company,” he says. “We will have to develop further in the coming years. Three new apprentices will start in September and I think those numbers will only increase in the coming years.”

The apprentices joining Damen Naval in the new school year will be introduced in Schelde Schakels later this year.

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