Everything about the Alfen Academy

Every year, we start a new class in August and in February. Read hear about the entry requirements, what your working week looks like, the levels between which you can choose, how we supervise your progress, employment conditions, your salary and how we help you to get the best out of yourself. 

Our intake moments are in the months of February and August. We also make use of so-called 'job tasters' to see if there is a match between our company and you. This means that you'll be working together with our practical supervisor one day a week, for example. Just to make sure you really enjoy technical engineering. And to see if this kind of work matches your ability and interest.

It could also be the case that we get to know each other in the summer during your holiday job with us. This gives you the chance to see what it is like to work as a trainee technician - and you can also earn a little bit of pocket money.

Recognised mbo training programme

The BBL training programme is carried out together with the Deltion College in Zwolle, a recognised regional training centre ('ROC'). A BBL-pathway consists of learning-on-the-job; you learn how to do the job while on the job, plus one day-a-week at school.

Entry requirements

In order to be a part of our in-house training centre you already have in your possession:

• An intermediate vocational education certificate (a 'vmbo') in the basic vocational course of study (the 'basisberoepsgerichte'), the advanced vocational programme ('kaderberoepsgerichte'), the combined programme ('gemengde') or the theoretical programme ('theoretische leerweg') or a comparable level;
• A certificate in lbo, vbo, mavo and mavo/vbo for which the examination for all subjects was passed at B-level at least;
• Proof of transition from havo 3 to havo 4 or from vwo 3 to vwo 4;
• A certificate or statement approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (the 'OCW');
• An mbo level 1 certificate
• A2 level fluency in Dutch And even if your Dutch is not yet at this level, we would like to hear from you. Then we can take a look together at how we can best help you proceed towards entry into the Alfen Academy. Of we take a look together if there is perhaps another solution.

What does your week look like?

You work 4.5 days a week. You start at 07:45. You arrive at work at 07:30 so that you can pull on your work overalls and catch up with colleagues. Or grab a cup of coffee, of course. Every four months, you rotate to another department. This helps you to build up maximum experience. So one period may see you in the rack construction department. And the next in the energy storage systems department.

Your working day ends at 16:15. Except the day that you go to school, then you clock off at 12:00. You go to school one day a week. That is either on the Wednesday or Thursday. School starts at 12:30 and lasts until 20:00. Fortunately, school is on-site, so it could not be more convenient.

Which educational track are you going to follow?

Mbo level 2

You'll be starting your Electrotechnical system installer track at level 2. This programme lasts for two years.

Once you have completed this programme successfully, you can of course continue your studies. If you would like to do so. And if your coach, your managers and the practical supervisor gives the go-ahead.

Mbo level 3

Once you're in the groove, why not go on and do level 3? If you have had the relevant preparatory education, you can even start at this level. You'll need to take a test, though. If you get the go-ahead from coach, manager and practical supervisor, you can follow the medium-voltage distribution technician track at level 3. As with the other courses, with us here on site. This is a one-year track.

Mbo level 4

And if you want to take your studies even higher, then you can even proceed to level 4. You'll require the go-ahead from coaches, managers and your practical supervisor to do so.

You can take part in the following training programmes at level 4: Electrotechnical Technician (Infrastructure) or Technical manager. This is a one-year track.
 
DThe level 4 training programme is taught at the Deltion College in Zwolle. We often see a number of trainees following this course at the same time. And therefore carpooling to school. Alfen pays the school fees. We also cover any travel costs you incur while following your level 4 training programme.

Mbo level 2 Electrotechnical Systems Technician ('EIPS')

This training programme consists of three component parts - basic, profile and choice. This sharing process has everything to do with the transfer of knowledge, insight, skills and behaviour. You need all of these attributes to be able to do your work even better. You need to fully complete all three component parts to gain your certificate.

The general modules of this training programme are the following:

• Career and citizenship 
• Dutch
• Arithmetic

In addition, we have selected the following optional modules:

• Digital skills (you will learn how to handle computer programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Entrepreneurial conduct (taking initiative, presenting solutions and assuming responsibility)
• In the basic module, attention is paid to subjects such as Ohm's Law, switches in series and in parallel, and measurement techniques.

Practical

In addition to the theory, you will also complete a number of practical assignments. And be asked to write a number of reports. Practical assignments are, for example, the ability to make switches in series, changeover switches, manual circuitry with a starter switch, affixing cables to a low-voltage rack or mounting a complete domestic connection.

You can find your curriculum on Deltion's digital study environment. This will point the way in the assignments you still have to complete.

Guidance

We are proud of our team of school supervisors. The team consists amongst others of a Deltion vocational teacher/ trainer, a Dutch teacher and our own practical supervisor Rieks.

Progress assessments take place regularly. To see how you're getting on. If you need any help with anything. To see if additional guidance would help you.

Employment conditions/contract

We can offer you an Apprentice contract. This is a two-year agreement in principle. If you complete your training programme and gain a certificate, you will be offered either an indefinite employment contract, or a new Apprentice contract if you consecutively start a new BBL track at a higher level.

Salary

During the first year of your contract, you will receive the minimum wage. Salary information can be found here. You will be paid for a full 40-hour working week. After successful completion of your first study year, your salary is raised to 110% of the minimum wage.

Are you interested in a BBL track at Alfen?

Would you like to obtain an mbo certificate at our Alfen Academy? Contact our recruiter, Jiska Andeweg. You can reach her by phone, e-mail or app,