Doing what you really like

He used to dream of having his own garden, just like his father. But now that he is a Junior Cultivation Specialist at Schenkeveld tomato nursery in De Lier at a young age, he doesn't want to go anywhere else. His goal: gain as many flying hours as possible and, above all, learn a lot from his experienced colleagues. "The trust and responsibilities I get here give me a huge kick."

He is still only 22 and yet Dave was already making considerable strides in his still fledgling career. A career in horticulture, that is. Because where many of his peers choose a different direction, Dave saw opportunities and he seized them with both hands. Born and raised in Westland, he grew up among the greenhouses. His father had his own garden for a long time, where he grew string beans and green beans, among other things. "He did that until I was 12," says Dave, who himself started working in tomatoes as a schoolboy. After secondary school, Dave initially chose to study horticulture, but studying turned out not to be for him. "I am not into theory, but more into practice. Learning things from a bookie didn't feel right to me."

Dave therefore went to work at pot plant nursery Bergcamp, where he says he learnt a lot. "I was allowed to order
preparing, managing people and, at such a young age, especially enjoyed earning a lot of money," Dave laughs. And then suddenly there was Schenkeveld. "Through a colleague I came into contact with Richard Schenkeveld 2.5 years ago. I wanted to continue in horticulture, but didn't know until then in what way. At Schenkeveld I was given the opportunity to develop myself further and grow in the company through a traineeship. I didn't have to think long about that." Dave became Junior Team Leader at the tomato nursery in De Lier and, in addition to making the schedules, got involved in motivating employees. "At first, people did think 'what is that young cock', but when they saw that I knew what I was talking about, I earned respect." And as he grew in his position, he also quickly saw that there were many opportunities at Schenkeveld to take follow-up steps.

"Within the company, they find it especially important that you do what you like. Because if you do what you like
finds, you get better and better at that too." Dave therefore soon spoke out loud that he aspired to a job in cultivation, and on the basis of the specialists present, he was given opportunities to look around. It resulted in him being appointed Junior Cultivation Specialist earlier this year. "I feel cultivation and climate are a good fit for me," says Dave now that the first few months are over. "But I am very happy that I first gained experience as a Junior Labour for this. As a result, I got to know the company and the people very well and I can now also justify my choices better."

In the 2.5 years he has worked at Schenkveld now, Dave has always felt a lot of confidence. That makes him feel good. "Because of the responsibility you get, it also feels a bit like your company. That gives a huge kick. I try to deal with that responsibility as best I can and am extra driven to prove myself. Step by step, I am now growing further in the company and getting better at my job." Dave therefore sees himself still working at Schenkeveld in ten years' time. "Maybe as a full-fledged Cultivation Specialist or Site Manager. I want to get everything out of myself as well as my work." He is grateful to Schenkeveld for
the chance he got and he urges peers to seize those opportunities too if they come along. "If you really want to, a lot is possible in horticulture. At Schenkeveld, I get the chance to develop in terms of knowledge and as a person. Starting your own nursery from nothing is no longer possible these days. But there are so many great companies where you can play a very important role and which are very keen to invest in you. Like Schenkeveld also invested a lot of time and energy in me. I came in with nothing in my backpack and a book keeps coming in. All you have to do for that is show commitment and provide energy."

Would you also like to take a Traineeship with us? You can! Take a look at the vacancy and apply.