Learning and working at Zuidberg

Zuidberg has been an accredited training company for almost twenty years. Zuidberg offers students a practical workplace for their training, allowing them to combine working and learning. Recently, the accreditation was extended by four years. “Students can count on good, personal supervision from us.”

“We offer training in combination with a workplace and close supervision,” HR adviser Jenneke van Vliet of Zuidberg briefly summarises what it means to be an accredited training company. Students can enrol at two points in the year: in September, at the start of the school year, and in February, halfway through the school year. Jenneke: “We ensure optimal conditions for the students, with a particular focus on good, personal supervision. Recently, the teams within Zuidberg were split up, giving team managers more space to devote time and attention to individual staff and students.”

Where possible, Zuidberg offers students a pathway so that they can progress from, say, Mid-level Vocational School (MBO) level 3 to level 4 and then on to a degree course (HBO). This allows them to develop within Zuidberg from, say, machining to construction work. Jenneke: “We naturally want to keep students in whom we see potential. That is why we regularly discuss their wishes and ambitions with them to see what possibilities there are within Zuidberg. Even if someone seems stuck in their work, we look at how we can help them progress.”

Two days at school, three days at Zuidberg
To recruit and select students, Zuidberg collaborates with OpleidingsBedrijf Metaal (OBM), which acts as an intermediary between schools and companies. Zuidberg also works closely with schools in the region, such as Windesheim University of Applied Sciences and Deltion College in Zwolle and ROC Friese Poort in Emmeloord. In addition, Zuidberg regularly attends job fairs and open days to make contact with students.

Within Zuidberg, Henk Schuurman is the team manager and practice supervisor of the students who follow the training-on-the-job pathway (BBL). Through this latter role, he maintains contact with OBM. “In many other courses which follow the BBL pathway, students go to school one day a week and work four days. They then have to do all their practical assignments at their workplace,” explains Henk. “At Zuidberg, we have deliberately chosen that students go to school not one but two days a week and work three days. This allows them to do all their practical assignments at school. As a result, they learn the trade faster and can also keep up with things better here.”

At Zuidberg, students gain experience in as many different tasks as possible. Henk: “In machining, for example, we have three students who rotate roles every month. They can work on turning, milling or conventional machining. These tasks differ a lot, so it makes quite a difference whether you work with your hands or with a robot. By rotating tasks, students can make a well-informed choice. And it also allows us to see where a student's qualities come into their own. The new students have been working for just six months, and I can already see which work suits them best.”

This is how students experience learning and working at Zuidberg
Zuidberg currently employs ten students: eight BBL students and two part-time HBO students. Ruben de Haan, Tromp Hakvoort and Tijn Beekhuis are three of them. They share their experiences of working and learning at Zuidberg below.

‘Zuidberg offers many opportunities and is a good employer’
Ruben de Haan lives in Urk, is 20 years old and follows the MBO course All-round construction worker at ROC Friese Poort in Emmeloord. He does the BBL variant, which means he goes to school two days a week and works three days. “I knew I wanted to go into engineering, and I especially liked welding. When I registered for my training, I started looking for a company. I had looked around at several companies, but I immediately had a good feeling about Zuidberg. Nice people, great machinery and good supervision. I expected to have many opportunities here and wasn’t wrong. I am learning a lot here. And last but not least: you are paid well.”

Ruben describes Zuidberg as a good employer. “In class, we often talk about the companies where we work, and I also talk about it a lot at home and with friends. When I hear how things are at some other companies, Zuidberg stands out positively. I'm proud to work here.”

‘I have really friendly colleagues and plenty of challenge in my work’
Tromp Hakvoort (22), from the same town as Ruben, is taking the part-time HBO ICT course towards Application Developer at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in Zwolle. He is now in his second year. Tromp: “I did the same MBO course before this and have been working at Zuidberg ever since. One of my teachers recommended Zuidberg to me: a nice company and also nearby. I really like it here. I have friendly colleagues and plenty of challenge in my work.”

Tromp works with four colleagues and an intern in the Application Development department. “If a question comes from the factory as to whether something can be done more smoothly or faster, we look at whether and how we could automate it. We then either build something ourselves or buy something in,” Tromp explains. The Application Development department, like the System Administration department, has developed considerably in recent years. “Initially, all the digital systems weren’t as necessary, but since Zuidberg has grown so fast, the systems have had to keep up. As a result, not everything is set up very logically in some places, but we are working on that.”

‘I had zero experience, but that wasn't a problem at all’
Tijn Beekhuis (18) was only 16 when he first walked into Zuidberg's office. “In the fourth year of my vocational secondary school, OBM came by to talk about the training courses. The Construction worker course seemed interesting, but I had zero experience with welding. When I asked about it, it turned out to be not a problem. That's when I decided to apply for the course.”

Tijn is following the level 3 course All-round construction worker at ROC Friese Poort in Emmeloord, and is now in his second year. He ended up at Zuidberg via OBM. “I was given a tour at Zuidberg and it all looked very nice and orderly, so I decided to give it a try. And I’m really glad I did. When I was just starting out, I worked next to someone who taught me welding. He kept a close eye on me, and I could ask him anything. Even now, there are fixed contact persons in the department who help me a lot. The welding is going really well now. I passed my welding certificate, and I’m currently working on welding certificate 2. I obtained my VCA certificate through school.”

Once Tijn completes his education, he might go on to level 4. “After that, I could even go on to do an HBO degree course. It's all possible within Zuidberg, which is ideal. I can definitely see myself working at Zuidberg for a long time. The company has got it right, and the work remains challenging. I want to be able to weld better and faster so that I keep delivering better work.”