Four students from ROC Nijmegen are among the best vocational training talents in the Netherlands. Having won the Dutch Skills Heroes championships, Guus Kramer, Joep Hubers, Linn Kappen and Nick Joosten are preparing for WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai. Their success is the result of intensive training and close collaboration between ROC Nijmegen and the regional business community in Lifeport Regio Arnhem Nijmegen.
“We are incredibly proud of these students,” says Skills Heroes coordinator Nellie van Steenbergen of ROC Nijmegen.
More than just a competition
WorldSkills is often described as the Olympics of craftsmanship. Students from all over the world demonstrate their mastery of their chosen trade. For participants from the Lifeport region, this means much more than just an international competition.
“It’s a unique opportunity to discover where you stand in your profession on a global scale, but also to encounter other cultures and learn from one another,” says Van Steenbergen. “Students develop into skilled professionals. They learn to cope with pressure, grow into independent professionals and receive a broader education.”
The four ROC Nijmegen students are representing the Netherlands in their respective fields:
- Guus Kramer – CAD draughtsman
- Joep Hubers – Building Electrical Engineer
- Linn Kappen – Beauty Therapist
- Nick Joosten – Automotive Technician
Preparing for WorldSkills requires months of training, discipline and personal growth. In this way, students not only develop their professional skills, but also acquire abilities that will be of great value to their future careers.
Nellie van Steenbergen, Skills Heroes coordinator and mentor to Linn Kappen, ROC Nijmegen
Recognising and challenging talent
According to Van Steenbergen, success begins long before a student takes part in a competition. “You sometimes see students who are capable of much more than they realise. Students who need an extra challenge or don’t yet know what they’re capable of. Skills Heroes offers them a platform to discover that.”
Students not only develop technical skills, but also learn to present, collaborate, communicate and cope with pressure. For some, this means overcoming personal insecurities.
“That is exactly what we want to achieve: for students to develop themselves, both professionally and personally.”
Training like top athletes
Since winning their national title, the four students have been working towards Shanghai. Their preparations require the same discipline and dedication as top-level sport. “They have to reach an exceptionally high standard in a short space of time,” says Van Steenbergen. “That requires discipline, motivation and perseverance.”
At the same time, balance is important. “Sometimes we actually have to rein students in. They just want to train more and more, but ultimately they need to turn up at the start line well-rested and full of confidence. It has to remain enjoyable.”
In addition to subject-specific guidance, participants therefore also receive mental health support from ROC Nijmegen and TeamNL. This mental health support makes a tangible difference. Van Steenbergen sees automotive technician Nick Joosten as a fine example of this. Whereas he previously felt mainly pressure to perform, Van Steenbergen now sees a student who is working towards the world championship with greater confidence and enjoyment.
Stronger together thanks to education and the business community
Preparation for WorldSkills is a joint effort between the education sector and the business community. Internship companies and industry partners provide additional training opportunities, specialist knowledge and the space needed to prepare effectively for Shanghai.
For example, Nick Joosten receives support from VEDO Van Emden Diagnose. Linn Kappen is mentored by ZoMooi Wijchen, Florence Beauty & Nails Wijchen and Pink Cosmetics. Guus Kramer is working with Mitutoyo Nederland and MakerPoint Arnhem. Joep Hubers can count on support from Siemens and Prysmian.
“We couldn’t achieve this without our partners,” says Van Steenbergen. “It really is a joint effort.”
This is precisely where the strength of the Lifeport region lies. Companies actively invest in young talent whilst benefiting from new knowledge, fresh insights and skilled professionals who have learnt to perform under pressure.
This collaboration centred on WorldSkills Netherlands is a good example of how the education sector and the business community in the Lifeport region are investing together in talent development. This collaboration is in line with the Human Capital Agreement, under which the education sector and the business community invest jointly in ensuring a sufficient supply of skilled professionals for the future.
Ambassadors for the future
The students take what they learn in Shanghai back to the region with them. “They become ambassadors for their profession, for vocational education and for our region,” says Van Steenbergen. “They inspire other students and show what is possible when you give something your all.”
Many former participants remain actively involved in skills competitions, guest lectures and events. In this way, the knowledge and experience gained from international competitions are disseminated further within schools, businesses and professional groups.
For Van Steenbergen, one thing is central to this:
“Ultimately, it doesn’t matter where they end up. They’ve already won simply by giving it their all.”
Pride from the Lifeport region
With four national champions travelling to Shanghai, ROC Nijmegen is making an exceptional contribution to TeamNL. “We are incredibly proud of our students. The fact that we have four Dutch champions who will represent the Netherlands on the world stage is unprecedented.”
Their success demonstrates what is possible when talent, education and the business community join forces. The participation of Guus, Joep, Linn and Nick is not only a personal achievement, but also a testament to the innovative strength of the Lifeport region.
In September, the region will be watching as they showcase their craftsmanship to the world. Whatever the outcome, they are already demonstrating just how much talent, ambition and perseverance there is in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region. Their journey to Shanghai is about more than just a competition. It is a story of talent, development and pride in the region.
