This is how Pascal is being educated to become a carpenter

"When I started on my first day at work, I couldn't even saw straight," Pascal laughs. "I thought: what are they talking about? I kept going and now I have been working here for a few months. I can already do some of the work independently. Of course, my mentor often guides me, but I don't have to ask as many questions as I did at the beginning. I'm very happy about that."

Bas takes his job as a mentor seriously. Every working day he picks up Pascal at 5:30 in the morning. Together they drive to the PoortMeesters building site in Delft: a new-build project being carried out by Ballast Nedam West on the edge of the historic centre of Delft. Once completed, PoortMeesters will consist of low-energy and low-maintenance town houses, two unique gates designed by Studio RAP and a green garden.

Transfer of knowledge

During construction, Bas teaches the tricks of the trade to his apprentice. In fact, the whole day is about transferring knowledge. "Of course the work would go faster if I did everything by myself", says Bas. "But such training is also worth something. Learning, experimenting and making mistakes: that's what it's all about. Along the way I really notice that he picks up the profession quickly."

Challenging working weeks

Bracing, installing columns, making staircases to measure, welding... It all comes together. "This is a very broad profession, so there is a lot to learn. That is actually the biggest challenge. Besides, the days are long. In addition to the forty hours a week that I work on the building site, I go to school two evenings a week. There, I mainly get theory classes, which enable me to gather more and more knowledge."

Better every day

In the middle of the building site, Pascal looks around. Behind him is the staircase that he sawed to size himself. The columns and struts that he placed can be seen all over the floor. "I am very happy that I seized this opportunity with both hands. I can really see myself doing this. The calculations are the trickiest part, and applying the metre gauge, for example, sometimes went wrong. But it's getting better all the time. Plus, you see the project grow every day. That gives me so much satisfaction - I would never have expected it."

→ Here you can find all the work placements and apprenticeships at Ballast Nedam