'The mbo work-learning program has great value for us'

Win-win for company and student

At hydraulic engineering company Van den Herik Sliedrecht, they like to give young people a chance to learn the trade in practice. One of those young people is Bartjan van den Dool, a third-year MBO student in middle management infrastructure technology level 4. It cuts both ways: Barjan gains a lot of practical experience and the Van den Herik team gains a driven colleague.

"In the year I have been working at Van den Herik, I have already learned a lot," Barjan says. "During the second year of my studies, I had an internship here. But that was only for a few weeks. Then I walked and watched along with a colleague. Now that I work here four days a week and go to school one day, I see a lot of what I learn at school put into practice. The hydraulic engineering projects are often very broad with many different aspects in execution." Bartjan is the first student of this course within Van den Herik, in addition, the company already has years of experience with dual students and apprenticeships from other courses at MBO and HBO level. Gerard Boon, Bartjan's supervisor, is also enthusiastic: "I myself continued working at Van den Herik a few years ago after my college internship. As a college student, internships of a few weeks were my only practical experience. I still had to learn everything in practice. Bartjan, on the other hand, gets the chance to gain a lot of work experience during his studies. I see that as a great added value of an MBO work-study program. As a company, we need a lot of practical people. How great is it then that you can train young people within your own company?"

Participating at the front

Bartjan is not the only student getting a chance at Van den Herik. On average, the family business has about 15 students a year who come to gain practical experience in a variety of positions; maritime, civil engineering and various office positions. The students really become part of the team in the department where they work, are supervised by experienced colleagues and are given their own responsible tasks. For example, Bartjan works on the project "widening section Berg-Obbicht in the Julianakanaal". A major project in which the Limburg Juliana canal will be widened and deepened to make it navigable for larger ships. Within this project there are smaller subprojects. For Bartjan the opportunity to learn a lot. Gerard: "One of those smaller subprojects is the restoration of a piece of riverbank. It was Bartjan's job to think about a plan of action, the planning, a cost estimate and then to supervise the work during execution. Except for assignments like these, Bartjan works closely with me. Together we go through the work and planning on a daily basis and divide the tasks. Bartjan has proven over the past year that he can do this. As a foreman at Van den Herik, I am therefore happy to have him as an MBO student." Starters also get a lot of space at Van den Herik. They are given the opportunity to choose a specific direction after an orientation period, and the company also offers a traineeship. Like Bart-Jan, starters can count on good guidance from one or more colleagues.

Tip

Bartjan: "I think it's a very good match in practice and I'm glad I chose a hydraulic engineering company, and certainly Van den Herik." Gerard: "Every company I recommend to orient themselves to the mbo work-study programs. It is valuable for both parties: the student gains a lot of knowledge of how things work in a company and as a company you gain an enthusiastic colleague who might want to stay with your company in the future!"