Review Skills Heroes competition at Kamps de Wild

On February 13 and 14, Kamps de Wild in Zevenaar was the stage for young talent and craftsmanship. During the Skills Heroes skills competition for Mobile Equipment Technicians, eight vocational students competed for a spot in the national finals of this prestigious competition. This skills competition is an important way to promote technical skills in the sector and encourage young talent.

Fedecom wholeheartedly supports this initiative and was proud to contribute to the organization of these exciting days. Thanks to the hospitality of Kamps de Wild, which made its workshop and facilities available, the participants were provided with a realistic, hands-on environment to test their skills. The competition consisted of various challenging tasks that focused on technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.

At the end of the competition days, the top three were announced at Kamps de Wild. The ultimate winner—who will be crowned Dutch Champion in Mobile Equipment Maintenance—will be revealed during the grand finale at the RAI in Amsterdam on March 21. The first-place winner will compete for the European title in Denmark in September 2025!

We would like to thank Kamps de Wild for helping to make this skills competition possible. We would also like to thank the many volunteers—all of whom are instructors at the participating vocational schools—who worked with dedication to make this competition a success.

We spoke with Dick Melessen, managing director of Kamps de Wild, about this event and the importance of skills competitions for the sector:

Kamps de Wild made its venue available for the Skills Heroes competition. Why do you think it’s important to contribute to this?

“We celebrate talent, whether it’s technical, commercial, or administrative staff; talent must be nurtured! The SKILLS organization and its participants deserve a professional venue, and we were able to provide that.”

What was your impression of the participants and their technical skills?

“I’m not qualified enough to judge the skills myself, but fortunately that’s what the judges were there for. What really stuck with me was the focus and drive the participants exuded.”

How do you view the role of skills competitions like Skills Heroes in attracting and training technical talent?

“It’s incredibly important! Whether you’re an athlete or a technician, if you have the ambition to improve, you’ll want to measure yourself against others. I’m certain that participating will have a lasting impact on the candidates’ future lives. They’ll always look back on this experience.”

What message would you like to share with young technicians considering a career in our industry?

“Be aware of the importance of your profession—without technicians, we’d all come to a standstill. And for techies, this role adds tremendous value by helping customers do their jobs. Specifically for agriculture, I can add that the passion and gratitude are wonderful to experience. And to experience the seasons in this way.”