'Later when I grow up I'm going to work in camping anyway'
Brandon (16) is taking several practical and industry certificates at Gentian College this year and will graduate with employment starting this summer!
Ever since Brandon was about four years old, he helped out at "the campsite in Zeewolde. At this campsite his family had a permanent pitch. Brandon could not be kept inside, helped with the tough 'green' men, got to ride on the lawnmower or helped rake the leaves.
When Brandon was in bridge class at Gentiaan College (then Ambelt) it was still very difficult to stay inside. If the book had to be opened Brandon had often flown it. Regular phone calls went out to grandparents that Brandon was lost. Eventually they managed to agree with Brandon that he would wait by a certain tree if he ran away or was angry, that way at least they knew where he was.
If it rained, his teachers were reassured, at least Brandon was in the building.
That working out of the book, that wasn't going to be it. Brandon totally flourished in the kitchen, during practical green lessons and at the group internship. Practical teachers really liked this cheerful boy, because he can work! With his playful humor, he challenged the teachers, hiding things or pretending there was a virus in the computer. Playful but never mean. And when he did have to throw open that book he sighed and supported himself and kept saying 'why do I have to do this, I'm just going to work at the campsite later on'.
After his first external internship with a landscaper, he was allowed to make the move toward "camping. The internship there built up from one to four days a week as an assistant landscaper. Suddenly Brandon became interested in theory, because for this position a sawing diploma was really valuable. Working with PC Trees, Gentian College procured this for him and he passed it in one sitting! He was also offered forklift and reach truck lessons and he also passed that certificate with flying colors! He has now also mastered tractor theory, which with his dyslexia is really amazing!
His grandmother has participated beautifully throughout this career. His rock, helping him when needed but always giving him the confidence that he can do it himself. He regularly cooks his own meal, he calls himself for his course and he coordinates with his colleagues.
By corona, school education was increasingly fading into the background, but the internship company became even more aware of how valuable Brandon is as an employee. The internship notebook with learning objectives, daily reports and evaluations is still practically empty, but the backpack is filled with good experiences. As his work supervisor Pim said, "we have to make do with our little hands. And so it is!
And now... Thursday, June 24.......a day with a golden edge. Brandon obtains his Boris practical certificate. A nationally recognized certificate in which MBO 1 and 2 competencies are obtained in the green industry. How proud we all are at school of him! And of course grandma hung up the flag! Passed!
As of July 17, Brandon will be employed by "the campground" for 36 hours a week. In addition, we managed to arrange through the municipality that he gets practical lessons for the tractor so that he can also get that license.
With his golf cart he drives around the campsite, he maintains the gardens, cuts the grass, works with the brush cutter, does small technical jobs and is a cozy part of the team. His work supervisor Pim tries to force him to sleep out 2x a week, and that's hard I can tell you.
Brandon, boy how proud I am. School has been beautiful. We now fully accept that you will be "standing by that tree" but in Zeewolde. Working in green is what suits you, and those trees will eventually be made into paper, right? Others will be able to read in it. Good luck and let us know how you are doing!
Janneke de Vrught, Pathway supervisor Gentiaan College
