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Damen Naval is creating a new practical training facility in Hall 1 at Vlissingen-Oost. Once completed, the Welding Experience Centre (WEC) will feature 12 welding booths, workstations, and a classroom for trainee welders and construction workers, as well as for visiting students and customers.
Text: Eefje Koppers
For Ronald de Baar, the WEC is the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. The Project Manager Production for steel construction has worked at Damen Naval for twenty years and wanted to find a way to make shipbuilding more appealing to future generations of shipbuilders. “We train students, but our facilities are currently quite limited, with only a few welding booths. We wanted to create a more attractive environment for our current and future students,” he explains.
Two rows of six welding booths are being constructed, including four enclosed booths for stainless-steel welding.
The WEC is intended for both education and engineering support. It will provide a professional and welcoming environment where students can be introduced to the trade and receive practical training. “It will also be an excellent location for testing new welding joints and materials. In addition, our own welders will be able to use the facility periodically to renew the qualifications required for their welding certificates,” Ronald says.
“I am looking forward to having a professional environment where we can train the next generation of production employees. It will be a learning environment that all of us can be proud of.” Ronald de Baar
What makes the WEC particularly special is that it is being built with the help of current Scalda students.
In one corner of Hall 1, two rows of six welding booths are being constructed, including four enclosed booths dedicated to stainless-steel welding. A freestanding classroom will be positioned between them. What makes the WEC particularly special is that it is being built with the help of current Scalda students who are following a work-based vocational training programme at Damen Naval. Ronald: “We are building it as much as possible with the support of the students themselves. The WEC is truly ‘for the students, by the students’.”
The WEC is scheduled for completion before the end of this calendar year, allowing current students to start using the facility straight away. “I am looking forward to having a professional environment where we can train the next generation of production employees. It will be a learning environment that all of us can be proud of,” Ronald concludes.