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John is a familiar face to many in Oss. He has been working in the technical field for years, mentoring interns and students who want to discover the profession. His calm manner of explaining things, his patience, and his love for the profession make him one of the driving forces behind the learning environment at the location.
I have always worked in the technical field, which is how I ended up at Tijssen Elektro. At the time, I was mainly looking for variety in my work, and I found that here: variety in techniques, the dynamics of the workplace, and a very pleasant atmosphere with colleagues.
Over the years, I have seen many changes, including the merger with Alewijnse. That took some time, but ultimately brought us clearer lines of communication. That works very well. My working days almost always start the same way: with coffee and a friendly chat. Then I discuss the day’s priorities with my immediate colleagues and get to work as a mechanic in the workshop. In addition to these activities, I also take care of some administration tasks and help out in the warehouse in between—it’s precisely this variety that makes this work so enjoyable.
“In addition to my work, I have been mentoring interns and students for years. It just happened naturally. I have been coaching youth at the soccer club for a long time, so I have a natural connection with young people. At work, I have noticed that I am patient and good at explaining things. We are an official training company, so I was soon asked if I wanted to help students grow—and I am happy to do so.
What I like best is when young people don’t yet know exactly what they want. I like to show them that electrical engineering is much broader than just connecting wires. I think discipline, curiosity, and the realisation that there are no stupid questions are important. I also encourage them to discover where their passion lies. It makes me proud to see how some of them stick around and grow into colleagues who now inspire young people themselves.
I hope that in ten years’ time, they will still remember that they had a good time here and that I was able to help them choose a direction that really suits them. Personally, I am looking forward to continuing this work for a long time to come, because I am perfectly at home here.”