On Tuesday evening, 30 June, the Boessenkool Prize was presented for the 57th time at Alma College in Almelo by Eelco Osse, director of Machinefabriek Boessenkool. The prize has been awarded annually since 1969 to young technical talent in the region. Through this prize, Boessenkool emphasises its commitment to technical education and aims to encourage future technical talent in the region.
Winner: Tim de Jonge (16)
This year, Tim successfully completed the Production, Installation and Energy (PIE) Basic Vocational course. According to his teacher, Erwin Geerdink, the reason Tim emerged as this year’s winner did not come out of the blue. “Tim is a real all-rounder, a go-getter who doesn’t let himself get distracted when he’s working on something. He’s an exemplary student who, on the one hand, does his homework and takes things seriously, and on the other, is very handy, isn’t afraid to try things out and, at the same time, manages to keep a bird’s-eye view of the bigger picture.”
Electric go-kart project
Together with his mate Joey, Tim has also been able to showcase his skills this year in the E-go-kart project, in which small groups of pupils learn to work together. All the PIE elements come together beautifully in this particular project: dismantling, logically reassembling the frame, fitting the electric motor, wiring and getting the chain tension right, etc.
The various techniques, such as welding, sheet metal work, machining, assembly and wiring, are also covered – for example, in the construction of battery compartments, an electric pedal, wiring conduits, the installation of wiring, various modules and indicator gauges; they are all featured. After a whole school year of hard work, being able to take a leisurely test drive in the go-kart they’ve built themselves is, of course, the ‘icing on the cake’ and the glorious finale that makes the whole experience extra special.
Lecturer Erwin Geerdink
As a teacher and project supervisor for the E-go-kart project, Erwin emphasises the importance of getting pupils to work together on such a project. “Despite all our differences, learning to cope with setbacks, solve problems, consult with one another and literally build something beautiful together – I really enjoy that,” says Erwin.
Further development and expansion
Erwin: “Tim has chosen, having completed his BB diploma, to take a gap year to progress to the Kader level, with a view to eventually entering level 3 or 4 at the ROC. That’s quite an achievement, given that he’s only been with us since the third year of his vocational training. At 16, with his character and attitude – and simply because he’s very clever – I know he’ll once again demonstrate his qualities there and go on to become a true craftsman-in-the-making. Tim is a fine example of a student who perseveres and is a top performer with a bright future ahead of him in the manufacturing industry.”
Promising technical talent from the region
Director Eelco Osse: “Attracting talented young people is crucial. Not only for their own sake, but also for the prosperity of companies in the metal and electrical sectors. The Boessenkool Prize is a means by which we aim to fuel this enthusiasm and inspire the younger generation to pursue a promising career in engineering.”
Pictured: Eelco Osse of Machinefabriek Boessenkool and Tim’s mother; inset: Tim de Jonge, 2026 prize winner.
