Text Stijn Schreven | Photo Guy Ackermans They are indispensable on the campus: the cleaners, caretakers, caterers, gardeners, receptionists – the list is long. Resource seeks out these key people. This time, meet Henk Welgraven (57), a security officer with Schipper Security.
‘I did security work for the first time when in national service, on Budget Day in 1983. We escorted the Queen’s Golden Coach in three columns of 100 men apiece. We’d been training for weeks. Everything went smoothly. I would have liked to enlist in the army. I didn’t do so, and I regretted it later.
Through a friend I went into security work in 1995 at what was then the Agricultural University. I had no idea what it would entail. Security wasn’t a thing in Wageningen yet, and I’d never seen any security officers. The first time I ran into my friend in all his gear, I laughed my head off. Two weeks later I was wearing it myself.
I always used to cycle to the police station, where our day started. I wore my own coat over my suit because I didn’t want to be recognized as a security officer. It doesn’t matter to me anymore, it’s part of who I am, and everyone knows me like this.
After six years I left for another company to be a dog handler. Later I learned that Schipper was going to provide the security for the Wageningen campus, and I came back. I live in Wageningen Noordwest, so the campus is my back garden. I feel at home here.
A lot has changed since 1995. The buildings are easier to navigate, and the alarm systems have been much improved. And you can get to the scene faster because most of the buildings are close together. They used to be spread around the town.
Most reports are false alarms, but sometimes there’s a bit of excitement. In the past, heat lamps would sometimes get stolen from the Binnenhaven greenhouses. When the alarm went off I would go in on my own. Everything looks different in the dark. You’ve got to search, sometimes without a floorplan. Now I’ve been working here for so long that I know the layout of all the buildings. That makes it easier.
I still think it’s great here. You feel that you are working on serious business, it’s not just anything. As the only officer from Schipper, the car is reserved for me at fixed times. You are free and it’s always just you on your own. I like that. I hope I can work here till retirement. I’m in the right place.’
