VDL Nedcar and VISTA College award 400th mbo diploma earned at car manufacturer

Caption: All 176 employees of VDL Nedcar who received their vocational diploma on Saturday.

No less than 176 employees of VDL Nedcar received their mbo diploma on Saturday, 14 January. During the celebratory event, Mohamed Ali Mohamed (43) was awarded the 400th mbo diploma, obtained at the VDL Nedcar Manufacturing College since the introduction of mbo-education in 2015 at the automotive factory site in Born. "My work is my hobby," says the newly qualified Mohamed. "My employer and colleagues can always reach me, I am always there for them. Except on Tuesdays; then I am at school." VDL Nedcar and partner VISTA College are proud of this milestone and its significance for both the individual employees, VDL Nedcar, and the region.

Sustainable employability

Sustainable employability (work capacity, employability, and vitality) is about the optimal and sustainable deployment of employees. This means that employers ensure that employees continuously have access to opportunities and conditions to work productively, motivated, and healthy. Under current labour market conditions, it is even more important for employees to develop their ability to maintain and enhance their attractiveness in the labour market. In this process, regions, companies, knowledge institutions, and employees all share an important, collective responsibility. 

Suitable for the future

Under the banner ‘Fit for the Future’, VDL Nedcar has been offering 7 different vocational education and training (VET) programs since 2015 in collaboration with VISTA College, at levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. From logistics operator to supervisor, from logistics employee to technical supervisor, and from mechanical operator to technician in service and maintenance. Rob Herber, head of training & development at VDL Nedcar: “The world around us is changing rapidly, especially in technology it is important to keep up and continue developing yourself. VDL Nedcar invests consciously in this. We offer employees the opportunity to follow education that ultimately leads to a nationally recognized MBO diploma, which can set them on a path, with opportunities for advancement both within and outside our company. Through accessible training programs that employees can follow on the shop floor after their shift, we create opportunities. We see this as our social responsibility.”

Tailored training courses

VDL Nedcar has developed tailor-made vocational education in collaboration with VISTA College mbo-opleidingen. A valuable mix of theory and practice, with educational programmes fully aligned with VDL Nedcar. Knowledge that can be applied directly in practice, but also adds value outside VDL Nedcar. “You notice that growth very quickly,” states practical supervisor William Russel from the Logistics department at VDL Nedcar. “Employees gain more confidence and are immediately more deployable. The theory provides more insight into processes on the shop floor and they learn practical skills on our own simulation line. That combination is very valuable.”

Motivation and commitment

The interest and motivation come from the participants themselves. Pursuing a course alongside work demands a lot from students. In addition to a full-time job and their private lives, they invest about 2.5 years and approximately 10 hours a week into their studies. This is not always easy. Sven Hofman, operational coordinator and lecturer at VISTA College: “The groups are diverse, including in terms of age. We have students from 23 to 63 years old together in the classroom. That requires tailored approaches. Some might have older children and more free time, while other students have a baby during the course. This calls for customization, where a curriculum is individually aligned with students. Slowing down or speeding up is possible. We help students to set priorities, plan step by step. Students need clarity and structure; that is what we provide. The student is always in the driving seat.”

Growth

Practical trainer William Russel from VDL Nedcar: “Personal development, self-confidence, and knowledge that can be directly applied in practice. You really see growth there.“ Students are extremely proud of themselves afterward for earning that highly sought-after certificate. For some, it’s their first diploma. Partly because of this, they get the chance to take a next step in their career, within or outside VDL Nedcar. “Helping employees find a meaningful place in society, that’s ultimately what it’s all about as a teacher,” states operational coordinator and teacher Sven Hofman from VISTA College.

400th graduate

Students are grateful for the opportunities and possibilities they receive. Every student has their own story. The story of the 400th graduate is a special one. Mohamed Ali Mohamed (43) was born in Egypt and has been in the Netherlands since 2014. In Egypt, he obtained an ICT diploma at higher professional education level. As a new Dutch resident, he started with an integration course. Since May 2018, he has been working at VDL Nedcar and completed the level-1 Assistant Process Technician training. Last Saturday, he received his level-2 Logistics Employee diploma. He has now started the level-3 training to become a Logistics Team Leader. This student has diligently attended all classes (100% attendance). During assessments, he regularly scores the maximum number of points. He always sees the positive in a situation, is very solution-oriented, and has an eye for his colleagues. “My work is my hobby; my employer and colleagues can always reach me, I am always there for them. Except on Tuesdays; then I am at school,” he says. “I find school very rewarding. It is very enjoyable and important to me, also to learn new words. I can then use them at my work.”

Integral collaboration in the region

Rob Herber, head of training & development at VDL Nedcar: “In the labour market, we need everyone in the region. This requires a joint effort from government, industry, and education. Among other things, to ensure better alignment of education with practice, but also to work together on lifelong learning, so that employees remain work-ready for the future.” This is partly achieved through projects like Tech 2 Create and Digiwise, focusing on the social, economic, cultural, and technological context within which someone can find and/or keep a suitable job.