Tymo Wisniewski
From apprentice to Senior Skilled Welder at VDL Staalservice
From headstrong teenager to qualified Senior Skilled Welder. Tymo knows what it’s like to be an apprentice at VDL Staalservice and to grow at both personal and professional level. He takes great pride in working on a wide range of projects right up to welding armoured steel.
How and when did you start at VDL Staalservice?
“From March 2020, I was looking for an apprenticeship-based learning track level 3 all-round welding. I’d sent a lot of applications but the uncertainty of Covid meant that many companies withdrew from the scheme. At that moment, VDL Staalservice offered me a place so that I could do my training. Which is how I came to join VDL Staalservice on 1 September 2020.”
What was the learning track like?
“The training course took three years, with the first two years involving lots of projects and assignments. A week consisted of four days working and one day at school. Besides working, I was given lots of time to focus on the projects. Year three involved doing lots of exams and getting diplomas and certificates, with the same weekly structure. When I finally completed my training, I was offered a contract, which is how I am still enjoying working at VDL Staalservice.”
What challenges have you overcome during this process?
“In this period, I’ve learned a lot. I can say that I joined the company as a headstrong nineteen-year-old, but I feel I’ve become a lot more mature. I was always able to do the school assignments well, and I enjoyed doing them too. The projects were often challenging, also thanks to the supervision from VDL Staalservice. But I didn’t enjoy the documenting part so much, particularly not after a hard day’s work.”
How has VDL Staalservice supported your personal and professional growth?
“I found the support really great. As I said, I was given challenging projects but always had plenty of time to do the assignments. I was given absolute freedom to focus on the assignment because at VDL Staalservice, your training has top priority. I was given all the tools I needed, such as the materials and equipment. Compared with what I heard from other classmates, VDL Staalservice really went the extra mile to support me as an apprentice.”
What do you enjoy most about working and learning at the same time?
“I think it’s a good combination, 4 days a week working and 1 day at school, so you’re always busy. But you are also given the time to do your school assignments.”
What makes your job at VDL Staalservice exciting?
“I find my job as Senior Skilled Welder very interesting because it’s something that not everyone can do. You work on projects that not everyone is allowed or able to do. Not everyone is allowed or able to weld armoured steel. I really enjoy working in that niche market, which makes the work so unique and interesting.”
Most interesting project ever?
“In general, the thing I enjoy most is welding armoured steel. That’s like the Champions League of welding. But I also really enjoyed the project for a sister company, VDL Translift. The interesting thing about this project is that due to the pull that occurs in the product during welding, you need to relax the product and focus with flame. That makes it challenging. You also need to work with ‘transition fitting’ because both steel and stainless steel are welded in the product. With a transition fitting, you can weld steel and stainless steel without the stainless steel rusting, and that makes the project interesting.”