If you walk around the premises here and take a look inside the workshops, there is a good chance you will run into Felke Steegstra. He is following a work-based learning pathway (BBL) with us, focusing on broadening his knowledge of our operations as much as possible. Felke is 17 years old and lives in the Frisian village of Blije, together with his parents, his twin sister, and his younger sister. In his spare time, Felke plays football—he even steps in to help out the first team of V.V. Blija from time to time—and he loves taking his dirt bike out for a spin. Not on a motocross track or the public road, of course, but in pastures where local farmers have given him permission.
Great to run into you, Felke! What kind of program are you doing? "I am doing the Allround Technician Vehicles and Mobile Equipment program at Firda in Heerenveen. It’s a three-year work-study track. I go to school on Wednesdays, and the other four days I work here."
How did you actually end up with us? "In March and April of this year, I did a 10-week internship here. Back then, it was two days a week, and I really enjoyed it. Since I already knew the team, it was a very small step to get in touch regarding my work-based learning path." So, we will see you working here for another three years? "Yes! I started last month when the new school year began, and I’ll be here until 2029."
What kind of tasks do you do here? "So far, I’ve helped maintain a diesel engine and have already learned a lot about the application of hydraulics. De Vries Cornjum also builds its own machinery, but I am mainly working on existing machines. Together with Sybrand, a highly experienced colleague, I assembled a mowing machine. And because things get so busy around here, organizing the warehouse sometimes takes a backseat, so I step in every now and then to tidy things up. It’s a nice change of pace."
Why did you choose De Vries again? "You have a lot of opportunities here. This company fits my training perfectly. You even find custom machine manufacturing here, which you don't see very often. On top of that, it’s a really great and fun team."
We completely agree. Great to have you with us again, Felke!
