What if it does work out.
Seize opportunities.
At the age of 16, Davey Kortsmit did an internship at the company where his uncle worked: KnookStaal Bridges and Locks. What started as a four-week internship grew into an apprenticeship (BBL) program—and eventually into a permanent contract. Now, nine years later, the still-young Davey is fully building his future within the company. At 25, he is a foreman for fabrication and his ambition is still far from reaching its ceiling. This is his story.
From internship placement to a permanent value
“I’ve now been working at KnookStaal for nine years and I really enjoy it here,” Davey says. “If you see how by chance I ended up here, I couldn’t have been luckier. What I’ve learned here over the past few years, you can’t learn from a study book. This is real learning on the job.”
Davey started out as a construction bench welder. His first project from start to finish was a bridge in Urk. “That was something special. Most people just drive over a bridge without giving it a second thought. For me, it feels different. I know how much work, craftsmanship, and teamwork go into it. That’s why I look at it with pride.”
An opportunity I didn’t want to let pass
A year and a half ago, a new opportunity presented itself. The then foreman for fabrication left, and Davey saw possibilities. “I thought: that’s an opportunity I want to seize. Of course, there were doubts. I was still young and not everyone was immediately convinced. But after several conversations, people saw that I look beyond just today. I think in terms of solutions, I’m social by nature, and I love challenges. That comes in handy in my current role.”
In his role, Davey works closely with the workshop manager. “We share information, coordinate a lot, and give each other feedback. Sometimes I hear something a little earlier about what’s going on on the shop floor. Then I bring it up for discussion. We complement each other well.”
Step by step to the next role
In the coming years, working together will gain an extra dimension. In five years, the current workshop manager will retire, and the plan is for Davey to take over his position. “That gives me the chance to gain experience step by step. I’ll be watching along, learning a lot, and filling my bag with knowledge and experience. It feels like a luxury position. At the same time, I also have to find my place. Sometimes you need to address people about things that aren’t so much fun. That’s just part of it.”
During the multi-day training Effective Communicating from MEPD, Davey learned how to address people in a positive way, motivate them, and take them along. “I learned to stay curious, ask questions, and above all look at what is possible. That way of communicating helps me every day.”
Building bridges, literally and figuratively
When asked whether he considers himself a bridge builder, Davey has to think for a moment. Then a smile appears. “Yes, I think so.” Not only literally, because he works on bridges and structures every day. He also tries, figuratively, to build connections between people, ideas, and different interests on the shop floor. “I think it’s important that people work together, understand each other, and can move forward. If I can contribute to that, then yes—I’m also a bridge builder.”
Finally, I’m curious about the workload that many young people experience. Does Davey recognize that? “Absolutely. There’s a lot of work and the days fly by. People work hard here. But the moment I get in the car to drive home, I end my workday. That’s when my free time begins. I think that balance is important.”
See opportunities? Seize them!
He would like to pass on one message to others who see opportunities but doubt whether they should take them:
“See opportunities? Seize them. Even if you fall on your face, you learn from it. But what if it does work out? Then it might well bring you something beautiful. Just like it did for me.”
