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Three colleagues from the Production department at Damen Naval have successfully completed their studies at Scalda. Merwin van Rijswijk and Rik Klaaijssen finished the Level 4 course in Production Engineering, while Vince van der Putten completed Level 3 of his vocational work-based training (Beroepsbegeleidende Leerweg, BBL) as an all-round Production worker.
Merwin van Rijswijk (34) has worked at Damen Naval for 17 years, 16 of which have been in Production. “I really wanted to do the Level 4 course and had already mentioned in my performance reviews a few times that I was eager to continue learning. I want to keep developing, and I’m grateful that the company gave me the opportunity to start this course.”
He began the two-year course in 2023 and switched halfway through from Production to Manufacturing Engineering. On top of that, he also has a family with two children aged 8 and 4. Merwin says: “It was a busy time in a good way. I last did a course in 2014, so it had been a while and took some adjusting. And there were a few times when the kids fell ill right at the same time as my exams, so it was a challenge to juggle everything. But I really enjoyed the course. I’m proud to have completed it and to now be able to continue developing within the Manufacturing Engineering department.”
“I was offered the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. I want to grow within the company, and I thought it would be interesting to see what working in an office role would be like.” Rik Klaaijssen
Rik Klaaijssen (23) passed his proficiency test in July 2023, earning his Level 3 qualification through the BBL programme as an all-round Production worker. He already knew he wanted to progress straight to Level 4 and, like Merwin, started the course in September 2023. He also moved to Manufacturing Engineering a year ago. “I was offered the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. I want to grow within the company, and I thought it would be interesting to see what working in an office role would be like.”
Now that Rik has completed his training, he’s already thinking ahead to his future at Damen Naval. “I’d like to return to Production. I miss the hands-on work. The Production department will be scaling up over the next few years, and I’m looking forward to working on the ASW frigates. That’s still a little way off, but I’m enjoying myself here in the meantime.”
As part of his proficiency test. Vince built a U-shaped bench for a sloop.
In February 2024, Vince van der Putten (19) transferred midway through his second year to a new placement at Damen Naval. “I wasn’t happy at the first company, but things are going well at Damen. I’ve really found my place here. The highlight for me was when the Combat Support Ship was moored at the quay and I got to work on board.”
Vince recently completed his third year by successfully passing his proficiency test. “I built a U-shaped bench for a sloop that we’re all going to build together.” The 7.5-metre sloop will be a joint project for the BBL students working at the company. A new group will begin in September. Vince also plans to start the Level 4 course after the summer. “I want to grow within the company. I’m not exactly sure what I want to do yet, but I’ll figure that out once I’ve completed Level 4.”
Over the past year, Merwin and Rik have been supported by Hans Walhout, Team Lead Manufacturing Engineering. Vince has been mentored by Senior Foreman Cees van Cadsand, who supervises the BBL construction workers. Welding Supervisor Leo Dingemanse oversees the BBL welders.
Pictured at the top (from left): Merwin van Rijswijk, Rik Klaaijssen, Vince van der Putten, Cees van Cadsand and Hans Walhout.