The builder of tomorrow, trained in Best
APK Group Netherlands Energy & Water has for over seven years a collaboration with the King Willem I College, which offers vocational training courses. “Our pupils receive their theory subjects from a lecturer at the Koning Willem I College,” explains HSEQ, WV and Training Department Manager Eline Beijne. For the vocational training, they are trained in low and medium voltage by our vocational trainer Jos van den Broek.."
“Have you followed all the assembly steps correctly? Have you taken all the measurements? That is so important to protect yourself.”
– Jos van den Broek, practice teacher
Jos has been giving practical lessons for two years now and has over 35 years of experience in the profession, the majority of which was at APK Group. “I was asked to come and teach back then and I find it very rewarding to be able to pass on my experience in this way,” he says. Safety is paramount for Jos: “Did you go through all the assembly steps correctly? Did you take all the measurements? That is SO important for protecting yourself.”
Central in the South of the Netherlands
Previously, Jos gave his practical lessons in a warehouse in Weert, but since October, students can attend our training centre in Best. This location was chosen very deliberately, as Best is centrally located between our branches in Dongen, Weert, Harmelen and Voerendaal.
The training centre has a theory classroom and a fully equipped practical training area, including lighting poles, a transformer substation, meter cabinets, and both low and medium voltage cables. “There is no power connected to the installations, so our trainees can practice their installations here in complete safety,” explains Jos.
From the classroom to the workplace
Currently, 52 students are undergoing training at the training centre, including both employees of APK Group and subcontractors. “Many students are already out on jobs with a job supervisor,” says Jos. “That’s the next step in their training. As soon as I feel a student is ready, they can complete their learning path on a construction site. Because you learn the most outside: not only whether you're performing tasks correctly, but also whether a situation is unsafe and you need to step back or seek advice.“
A career with future prospects
APK Group Energie & Water and the Koning Willem I College are aiming their training offerings at both APKemployees and self-employed individuals who wish to upskill. “The energy transition is coming and we need many skilled workers to make it happen,” says Eline Beijne. “This must be done safely and with quality. This training centre plays an enormously important role in that. Our course is meanwhile fully booked, which proves once again that there is indeed demand for quality vocational training!”
Come and meet us!
Would you like to know more about our training opportunities? Visit us at events such as the Day of Technology or a job fair, or contact us via opleidingen@rasenberg-apk.nl.
Location: APK Group Praktijkschool, Best
E-mail: training@rasenberg-apk.nl
Telephone: +31 88 75 10 100
Your future in engineering starts here!
