At Aalberts advanced mechatronics, we do demanding work for demanding customers. To make sure we deliver the high-quality products our customers need, we put a lot of focus on things like precision, craftsmanship, continuous learning, and finding colleagues who share our passion for excellence. One such colleague is Chris Akkerman, Welding Coordinator at Mogema.
inspired at an early age
Chris grew up in a family of furniture upholsterers, but he figured out early on that his heart lay elsewhere. “They envisioned me walking around with six meters of carpet on my shoulder, but I didn’t like that at all,” he laughs. Even at a young age, he saw engineering as a better fit.
Then during his technical studies, his interest in welding was really sparked. “That was mainly because of my welding teacher,” Chris explains. “He was calm, knowledgeable, and he really knew how to inspire me. Thanks to him, I started down this path.”
shaped by every experience
Chris started working with Mogema when he was just 17 years old. The things that appealed to him when he joined still apply today: “A healthy organization, nice colleagues, good materials, clean work – it all suits me.”
Before he officially joined Mogema in 2014, Chris worked as a temp for many years. “I picked up something from everywhere I worked – from every welder, from every company,” he explains. “All of that has shaped me.”
In his role as welding coordinator, Chris gets to tap into that versatility and his years of experience to train the new generation. He is responsible for five apprentices learning their trade through BBL (Work based learning) or BOL (vocational education and training).
learning from everyone
Chris was largely allowed to shape his role himself. “The assignment was clear: Form a team, work together, and transfer your knowledge,” he says. “I enjoy doing that. There are many welding processes out there, and I try to stimulate the apprentices with stories about, for example, explosion welding. It’s a lot to learn, but also very cool to discover.”
It’s clear that the love for welding that was sparked in him as a teenager is alive and well in Chris today. “Making something out of nothing remains fascinating to me,” he says. “Building something, improving it, perfecting it. Even after 30 years I think: this weld can be even better.”
That drive to keep learning can also be seen in his interactions with students. “Sometimes they say, ‘Chris, you can do this differently, can’t you?’,” he says. “And I listen to them. You can learn from everyone – including students.”
turning a practical choice into a passion
Even though Chris doesn’t think much about his own future, one thing is certain: He wants to continue contributing to a good team. “We have a lot of throughput in our department,” he says. “That’s why it’s so important that we continue to invest in training new colleagues. I am happy to say that many of my apprentices actually stick around.”
What began as a practical choice made at a young age has developed into a lifelong passion. “I said it out loud the other day: I’ve been in this business for 30 years,” Chris marvels. “That sounds like a really long time. But it still feels like the right choice.”
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Chris (on the left in the front row) and his students from the welding academy
