'I get opportunities, which I can realize myself!'

Edward van der Does entered the Bakker Business School as a trainee mechanic six years ago. He successively took two MBO courses to become a service technician. After successful completion, he is now studying technical business administration at the HBO. He works 32 hours a week at Bakker Sliedrecht and goes to school in Eindhoven one long day a week.

"In 2020, after obtaining my second MBO certificate through the Bakker Business School, I applied internally at Bakker Sliedrecht. During my education I got to know the company very well through the internal internships. The interview not only revealed my interest in installing panels on board ships and pulling cables. We also looked at my future and concluded that studying suited me well. That's why I chose to work in combination with college education. This way I come into contact with both technical and business topics."

Responsible for electrical engineering

Edward: "As for my work, I still roam around the company. For example, I have done onboard assembly work. That ranges from offshore ships to dredgers and is mainly installation work: mounting panels, laying cables. We are responsible for the electrical installations on board such a vessel. I currently support project leaders with administrative work in the area of internal processes. That ties in well with what I am doing within my current education in Eindhoven."

Design, delivery and commissioning

"Project Spartacus is really a sample job, in which I was involved" says Edward. "Spartacus is the most powerful cutter suction dredger in the world. Bakker Sliedrecht handled the design, delivery and commissioning of the electrical power plant and the secondary electrical installations. It is an example of our way of working, in which I was involved for two years. I learned a lot from it; it is also one of our largest projects."

Getting 'flight hours' first

"The work I did onboard vessels was mainly in the Netherlands," Edward says. "Although I have also been abroad, such as in Britain, for a period of two weeks. On larger projects, my colleagues are normally on the road for four weeks when they go abroad. For me that is not possible because I am still studying. Bakker Sliedrecht takes that into account. After my studies I would like to make more 'flying hours': I can build up a lot of experience with that. I also have the age for it!"

Openness and career opportunities

Edward: "The facilities that Bakker offers are very good: the training, but also everything that comes with it, such as reimbursing books and travel expenses. What I like about working at Bakker Sliedrecht is the openness. And the career opportunities! I receive good support and I feel understood. For example, when it comes to working and learning. That's a tough combination. Then they are so flexible to find suitable work. In addition, we are an innovative company. We make very beautiful things together. Nothing is standard and we are a big name in the maritime world. Together with my colleagues I want to keep it that way. I get opportunities here, which I can realize myself!"