With VDL Triple T Academy, VDL Groep offers apprenticeship students additional skills

The VDL Triple T Academy has started today, Friday 23 September. VDL Triple T stands for Proud Talent in Technology. An challenging MBO training program from VDL Groep developed in collaboration with FC Eindhoven and Mikrocentrum. During this 1-year course, 13 BBL apprentices, besides their vocational work placement at one of the VDL companies, will work on their personal development (powerskills) and will be physically challenged.

Guustaaf Savenije, chief executive of VDL Groep: “Unfortunately, we face a significant shortage of vocational technical professionals. The influx of vocational students choosing technology is insufficient to compensate for this shortage. For us, skilled workers are essential for development and production. Therefore, it is important to inspire young people to pursue a career in the (high-tech) manufacturing industry; a sector where a lot of innovation takes place, offering numerous opportunities and advancement options — and where you can also make a meaningful contribution to societal themes, such as sustainability. In short; something to be proud of. The shortage of technical staff forces us to find creative solutions to recruit and retain employees. With the VDL Triple T Academy, we provide BBL students additional development opportunities. Through this ‘upgrade’ to regular BBL training, we aim to make choosing a technical profession more attractive. This program combines craftsmanship with personal development, sports, and vitality. Additionally, the training offers extra recognition to practically-oriented technical talent. Talent that VDL is proud of, which we nurture and stimulate for a rewarding career in technology.”

VDL Triple T Academy: power skills, sport and vitality

The 13 BBL students work 3 or 4 days a week at one of the VDL companies. One day a week, they go to school to pursue a vocational education. In addition, every Friday morning they attend the VDL Triple T Academy where they are physically and mentally challenged. The subjects focus on teamwork, communication, result orientation, and entrepreneurship – which are also core values of VDL. These power skills are crucial for vital and agile employees in the challenging high-tech manufacturing industry. Led by Jens van Son, a former professional footballer at FC Eindhoven and now a project manager at FC Eindhoven, the students follow a physical program focused on sports and vitality in one week. The following week, the lessons are focused on personal development, provided by René Berden from Mikrocentrum in the business room of VDL Groep at the Philips Stadium.

Collaboration and ongoing development

"For establishing the VDL Triple T Academy, we sought collaboration with Mikrocentrum and FC Eindhoven, as they are logical partners for us given our long-standing relationships with both parties," said John van der Pas, HR manager and program manager of VDL Triple T Academy.

Frank Bruls, training manager at Mikrocentrum: "Good cooperation, communication, result-orientedness, and entrepreneurship are essential power skills to successfully tackle (complex) technical challenges and stay ahead. Therefore, it is important that current and future generations of professionals continue to develop in these areas. We are proud that, as a knowledge partner, we can join forces with VDL Groep and FC Eindhoven to help enhance these skills and the talent of engineers."

Günther Peeters, general director of FC Eindhoven: "We are proud to shape this project together with our main sponsor VDL. VDL Groep is a very important partner for our club, and we see this as a perfect example of how FC Eindhoven can contribute to the development of our partners. Building with Talent has been the identity of FC Eindhoven for years, and through this project, we can also promote this identity socially. By involving FC Eindhoven in this collaboration with VDL, we can further strengthen our social goals and make a meaningful difference for our region."

Kick-off meeting

During the kick-off meeting on Friday 23 September at the Jan Louwers stadium of
FC Eindhoven, the official start signal was given for the VDL Triple T Academy and the ‘selection’ of 2022 was presented. More information about VDL Triple T Academy: www.vdltriple-t-academy.nl

Triple T also in Twente

Various high-tech companies from the Twente region, including VDL ETG Almelo, the municipality of Almelo, educational institutions, and football club Heracles, started the Triple T High Tech Academy for the Twente region last September. A total of 11 students have successfully completed this programme. The second cohort of students will commence on 30 September 2022.