Today, 16-year-old Milan Kats from Fluitenberg started a two-year training course to become a miller. The first lesson was at the De Heidebloem mill in Erica.
The first assignment that instructor Jannes Tigelaar had for Milan was to determine the wind direction. “We don’t have to crest. The mill is right upwind,” says Milan. Tigelaar nods in agreement.
He has been active as a volunteer at the mills in Erica and Dalen for some time. “When a mill was restored nearby in 2019, the idea came up to actually do something with it.”
But given the Working Conditions Act, he was previously not allowed to carry out tasks independently. Now that he has turned 16, this is allowed. The training takes a total of 150 hours. “I also have to work thirty hours on other mills than this flour mill. For example, on an oil mill and a sawmill.”
From an early age, Milan has had a fascination with everything that rotates. “It’s so beautiful to see those gears turning. A mill like that is so old, isn’t it? No machine can compete with that.”
Becoming a professional miller is actually not an option for Milan, because that is mainly volunteer work. “I want to go into mill construction later, that is possible as paid work.” His future lies with the mills, that much is certain.