New edition of our website column. Today at the controls: Jonathan Ravenhorst. Actually he was an auto mechanic but he changed course and is now a student of mechatronics, using Powerspex as his apprenticeship. "I really found my motivation again," he says.
Name: Jonathan Ravenhorst
Age: 20
Residence: Enschede
Function at Powerspex: BBL-student mechatronics/junior mechanic
Since when have you been working at Powerspex and how did you end up there?
"Since September 2023, when I started my BBL training in mechatronics. I started on my birthday, Sept. 4. Powerspex is my apprenticeship. I work there four days a week and one day a week I go to school."
But you were actually trained as an auto mechanic.
"I had gotten my degree in first car technician at the ROC of Twente and worked in a car garage for a while. I realized: I don't want to do this work until retirement. I find job satisfaction and collegiality very important, the work itself too, and I really didn't find that satisfaction in the car mechanic profession. I already noticed it during all the internships: colleagues went to work with little pleasure; they could hardly smile.
I decided to do things completely differently and take a BBL course. After careful consideration, I ended up with mechatronics, level 3. The training takes 3 years on paper, but I try to do it faster. That's going well; I get good grades.
I really like the choice of mechatronics. I really found my motivation again."
What is so great about your work as a mechanic here?
"The work alone. No dust you breathe, no grease; it's also healthier. I have more freedom to organize my time myself and the colleagues get along nicely. I go to work every day with a smile and I go home with a smile. I'm going to keep up this work for a very long time."
Do you recommend it to other BBL students to work at Powerspex?
"Definitely. It's not monotonous and a lot is possible. Do you want to be in field service? You can. Want to go abroad further on in your career? You can too. The atmosphere is good and you learn a lot. Every day you become a little more technical; you work with experienced colleagues."
What are your ambitions?
"This work has given me motivation again, and if this continues, I would like to advance to mechatronics level 4. That is encouraged by Powerspex."
Who is your favorite colleague? And your favorite customer?
"Let me name as my favorite colleague my workshop manager, then I am always right. So in this case, René Hermelink. But I also enjoy working with Michael, and Naomi and Mart. Actually with a lot of people.
As for clients, I've worked for many. Host, Bright, Damen. Building cabinets for Damen is fun work; I could do that all day. For De Groot too; that's more complicated and it's fun to figure it out."
If you had not been a mechanic, what profession would you have wanted to be in?
"I used to always say I wanted to be an architect. I drew a lot; I could amuse myself for hours. Eventually I went into engineering. That kind of runs in the family."
Is your work reflected at your home? How many plcs do you have in use?
"Well no, here is mostly a lot of equipment. TVs, gaming PCs, laptops. All new and big too."
What do you do in your spare time?
"I go out with friends. Playing pool, going to FC Twente, playing a game of soccer, or Fifa. Working out at Basic Fit. And I like to be with my girlfriend.
Because of my previous studies, I do tinker with cars, but not as much as you might expect. Maybe that will come later, when I have a house with a shed that can fit a bridge. I do my own car maintenance myself, of course, and so well that it's never at the garage."
And now for the question your predecessor at the controls Willem Thissen came up with for you: what energizes you?
"Anyway from my work. I definitely don't do well sitting at home, sitting still or doing nothing. I like to be on the go, enjoy my work and get energy from it."
You may now think of a new question for whoever is at the controls after you.
"What makes you happy? That's so important in life. Have more people had a moment like mine and changed course?"
At the controls
At the Buttons is the website section of Powerspex. Every month, a Powerspex employee takes place behind the purpose-built control cabinet. With each push of a button, a question appears on the screen to which he must give an honest answer. Pressed the buttons, posted an interview? Then the name of the interviewee is immortalized on the control box. When all the employees have been there, the cupboard is full. But that will take a while...
Today Jonathan Ravenhorst took places behind the switchboard.
In previous editions, these were
Willem Thissen
William van Velsen
Jouke Dassen
Jitze de Jong
Wim Noltes
Lars Arens
And Werner Heβ
