Richard Roolvink

• Age: 19 years

Competitor in Skill: Welding
Country: Netherlands

How did you get interested in your skill?
When I was 15 years I had to choose an education. the school had several modules on trying different skills, and I really liked welding, and I have not stopped doing it since the day I have tried it.

Where did you do your training for your skill?
At my work space Eaton cooperation Hengelo. I got my own work space where I can train for the worldskills. I got all the right machines and materials to be prepared as well as I can.

How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
My boss asked me if it wasn’t something for me to me to participate in this kind of games, so I looked up everything on the internet and got really excited about it.
I was really surprised on how much people are involved in the skill competitions, and how many programs that are planned on how to be prepared for the wordskills.

Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
I have made a really big step in my career by participating in the welding competitions, I have learned so many things I’ve could not imagine doing that 2 years ago.

What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
My experience is that my Member organization is one big organization everybody knows each other and is willing to help one another. So that we will do the best as we can at competitions.

Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
It was probably the event game on. It what an international practice game where several countries where invited.

Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
I have learned so much in the past 1 year what probably other people will do in 5 to 10 years that is one of the things that I will never forget. The things I have learned in such short amount of time.

Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
In the skills competitions I have learned how to act in a competition and how to deal with the sudden changes and the stress that will be put on you, but still finish your products in time and according to the right specifications.

What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I am an all-round welder at the company Eaton Hengelo, where I work and also train for the worldskills.

What are your future career aspirations?
It will probably be teaching the next generation how to weld, and hoping to inspire them to also try and to make it to the wordskills.