Back to work in the bulbs

About sixty students will be working in a bulb shed in Obdam in the coming weeks. They sit two-by-two around cubic boxes containing hundreds of tulip bulbs. They all have to be peeled in two weeks. There is great enthusiasm to get that job done, especially among young people aged thirteen to fourteen. Although not all seem to feel like a full-time work week.

Kelt (14) and Joep (13) are working hard at the cubic box – NH Nieuws Kelt (14) and Joep (13) are hard at work at the cubic box – NH Nieuws About sixty students have arranged their part-time job at Borst Bloembollen in Obdam via Instagram and other social media channels. They can peel bulbs for about four weeks in the bulb shed. “It’s going well, it’s great fun with your friends and then also just earn money,” says Joep Zwart (13) from Heerhugowaard. “You have to be here seven o’clock. That’s early, but you get used to it.” Thirteen-year-olds can gain their first work experience here.

Young people are then allowed to do odd jobs such as picking fruit, stocking shelves, babysitting and washing cars. There are more job opportunities for sixteen-year-olds. They can, for example, work in the catering industry or behind the cash register.

Menno Boots of Borst Bloembollen also sees this in the bulb shed. Peeling bulbs is especially popular with students aged thirteen and fourteen, he says. “When you are that age you get the chance to earn extra. If you have something to save for, you can realize it here.”