For many high school graduates, it seems like a logical choice: start with a university of applied sciences (hbo) after high school. However, this is not always the best decision. Some secondary school students discover during their school career that they prefer practical learning, that an hbo program asks too much of them, or that they need a bit more time to figure out what they want to do in the future. For these students, an mbo program can be the solution. Just like Tijn, who after high school started the mbo program in General Machining.

Tijn's (19) educational path looks a bit different from most students. After earning his VMBO-T diploma, Tijn chose to continue to the havo level. “I made this choice because I didn't know what I wanted to do after VMBO. I wanted to give myself some more time to make a decision.” After two years, Tijn also obtained his havo diploma, although it wasn't easy. “I didn't have an easy time in havo. I had to work very hard for it, but in the end, I succeeded. I am very proud of that!”

Orienting towards the future

Although Tijn started at the high school level (havo) to give himself a bit more time, he still didn’t know what he wanted after earning his diploma. Wandering around a university didn’t appeal to him, but then what? “At that time, the idea of a vocational education (mbo) hadn’t really occurred to me. In my mind, pursuing an mbo was a silly choice after completing havo.” So, Tijn decided to take a gap year to figure out what he really wanted. Successfully. “I’m very glad I did that, otherwise I probably would have done something completely different.”

An apprenticeship program: working and learning at the same time

During a visit to the Onderwijsbeurs Zuid, he came into contact with the industrial family business VDL Groep. Employees of VDL told him about the Allround Machinist training, which was very appealing to Tijn. After some research, he decided that this was the right training for him. “I chose the Allround Machinist program because I find it incredibly exciting what you can make from a piece of rough material. The possibilities are endless. There's a lot involved before you reach the final product. In addition to your hands, you also need to use your brains.” 

The vocational education program Allround Machinist is a BBL program, which means that Tijn works four days a week at a recognized apprenticeship company and attends school one day a week. Tijn spends his working days at VDL GL Precision in Eindhoven. “At the Education Fair, I was told to get in touch with VDL GL Precision if I thought machining was for me. I did that then. After some conversations, I made my choice. I really enjoy being at VDL.”

The VDL Triple T Academy

In addition to his regular vocational education, Tijn participates in the VDL Triple T Academy: the talent program of VDL for technical BBL students. At the VDL Triple T Academy, he receives training every Friday morning focused on personal development, sports, and vitality. These sessions are conducted by professionals and are held at cool locations such as FC Eindhoven and PSV, which is a real treat for Tijn as a sports enthusiast and a true fan of PSV. 

The right choice

Having a vocational education (mbo), working as a machinist at VDL GL Precision, and participating in the VDL Triple T Academy makes Tijn feel that he has made the right choice. He also wants to encourage others who are unsure about their study choice to consider carefully what suits them best. “I would especially like to say: do what feels right for you. You are certainly not less worthy if you choose an mbo-opleiding, even if you have completed havo. Enjoying what you do is the most important thing; otherwise, you will never last long.”