From bartender to technical draftsman - and Sedat wants more!

Meet Sedat Yildiz, a colleague of Kurdish-Turkish descent who worked as a bartender in Antalya (Turkey) until 2019. Now, four years later he is a technical draftsman at Alfen and works in Almere. 

“I have always interested in sports and the military,” Sedat says. “In Turkey, I signed up for the army five times, but each time I was rejected.”  

Once in the Netherlands, he moves to Almere to be with his girlfriend and focuses on learning the Dutch language. 

Besides love and his interest in the military, he quickly found a new passion. Through energy specialist Alfen, Sedat discovered his interest and talent for technology. 

“The ‘training on the job pathway’ at the business school of Alfen, called the Alfen Academy, helped me develop into an electrician. I learned everything about materials, parts, drawings, tools and how to perform assembly work independently. As my command of the Dutch language improved, I was able to take more and more steps in my Alfen career.”

By completing various levels of training at the Alfen Academy, Sedat has risen to become a technical draftsman. “And I’m not done learning yet. Ideally, I would like to become an electrical engineer at Alfen. I will then be responsible for designing, analyzing and implementing electrical systems and components, with the goal of ensuring safety, efficiency and reliability of Alfen’s products in various applications and industries.”

Still, to prove his potential as a soldier, Sedat signed up for the Dutch heavy ‘special forces’ TV program ‘Kamp van Koningsbrugge’. “It’s a great opportunity to test myself physically and mentally - to go to the extreme.” 

After intensive training and selection process, he is ready for the big adventure. With only essential gear, he left for England for grueling commando training. Making fire, swimming miles in icy water and land navigating are on the program. 

“It’s not only a physical challenge, but definitely a mental one as well. I discovered the importance of mental resilience and that, despite difficult situations, I can go to extremes. Those qualities come in handy at work, too!” 

Sedat’s story is an inspiring one of perseverance, self-development and overcoming obstacles. His journey from Turkey to the Netherlands, participation in an intensive training program and professional growth at Alfen show a true go-getter who is determined to achieve his goals no matter the challenges. 

Interested in a work and learning program at Alfen? Find out about the BBL opportunities at our Alfen Academy here.