Since June 2025, Sijbren Bakker (almost 28) has been part of our team. A down-to-earth, calm guy from Winsum — although he’s rarely there. Most of the time you’ll find him at his girlfriend Bianca’s place, in the chalet behind her parents’ house. Or he’s out on his motorcycle, clearing his head after a busy day.
Sijbren is the type who prefers doing over talking. After completing his level 2 mechanical engineering training, he started working as an agricultural contractor, then switched to truck driving, and most recently worked in Norway operating a wood chipper. Not exactly a standard career path, but it’s precisely this adventurous mix of experiences that makes him such a valuable colleague. He’s used to thinking on his feet, improvising, and finding his own way — qualities that fit perfectly with working in delicate natural areas.
His introduction to De Vries Cornjum BV was just as straightforward. He sent an open application, came in for a coffee with Arnold, and it was settled. We would have loved to have him start the very next day. Initially, his start was planned for after our summer holidays, but on June 11, Sijbren called: “I can start next week.” And so it happened. That says it all about him: no hesitation, just go.
What he enjoys most about working at De Vries Cornjum? The variety and the freedom. One day he’s operating a crawler machine in the field, the next he’s driving the truck to transport equipment, and sometimes he’s helping in the workshop with a technical job. No day is the same, and that’s exactly what gives him energy. Every week brings new challenges and new places, something he clearly enjoys.
Outside of work, he’s just as active. Sijbren loves riding his motorcycle, feels at home in the smell of metal and oil, and enjoys working on his recently purchased fixer-upper boat. “Tinkering,” as he calls it himself, often with a big smile. Ask him about his taste in music? He’ll say: “Anything goes, as long as it’s fun.” From heavy rock to an easy sing-along — he’s up for it all.
Colleagues describe him as a true go-getter: “That guy gets it. He sees what needs to be done and just does it.” No big stories, just clear action.
His motto?
“It’ll be fine.”
And that’s exactly right. Sijbren quickly found his place here and is already a very welcome addition to our team. He shows that working at De Vries Cornjum is not only challenging and technically interesting but above all, human and enjoyable. Exactly the kind of colleague who makes sure that every day, things really do “work out fine.”
