Hamer company in Apeldoorn

 

Queen Máxima made, on June 25, 2020, a working visit to technical installation company Hamer in Apeldoorn and the TechnoHUB technical education facility in Woerden. Both visits discussed the importance of well-trained technical staff for the future of SMEs. Companies need qualified employees for their continuity and growth. Vocational education aims to make training as closely as possible in line with the demand of entrepreneurs. Cooperation between public and private organisations is essential. The visits also discussed the impact of the corona crisis on SMEs. The working visits took place in accordance with the relevant directives. Queen Máxima began her visit to family business Hamer with a guided tour. In the province of Gelderland, many technical companies are facing a shortage of skilled technicians. Hamer is one of the companies that has used the action plan 'Long Life Gelders Craftsmanship' that tackles this problem. The plan offers further training opportunities in order to train more people for the technical sector. Gelders Craftsmanship works with vouchers that companies can use for further training of their employees or the hiring of side-entrants. A so-called liaison coach supervises them in this. At the end of 2019, this financial settlement expired. Due to the pandemic, new vouchers have been temporarily made available for further training purposes from 1 June. During the tour, Queen Máxima spoke to a number of staff who followed training courses. She then spoke to representatives of the partnership, including the province, WE Engineering, Royal Metal Union, SER, CNV Professionals and liaison coaches, about their experiences and the effects of the pandemic. In Woerden, Queen Máxima visited the TechnoHUB, a new education training facility set up in collaboration with technical companies. The TechnoHUB is part of the SME deal Making Industry Utrecht-West. The Government and the province of Utrecht, together with technical companies and educational institutions, are tackling the shortage of technical staff. In a practical learning environment, (V)MBO students and also primary and secondary school students can gain knowledge and skills in engineering and technology. The standard curriculum is supplemented in cooperation with the companies with guest lessons by specialists and assignments at the companies themselves. TechnoHUB connects education and practice. Queen Máxima began the visit with a tour of the TechnoHUB that opens in September. She spoke to (V)MBO students and teachers about what this practical place can do for them. After the tour, Queen Máxima spoke to representatives of the local technical industry, the province and SME board members from the technical sector.