HR Manager Sieta Woudman of Neopost is proud: ’’The first batch of technicians on the apprenticeship are working at various Innovatiecluster Drachten companies. This allows us to offer our people training close to home that will increase their knowledge and also enhance the quality of our work. Because there is no evening HBO Mechatronics course in the Northern Netherlands, the high-tech companies themselves took the initiative to set up the course together with the Hanze University Groningen. The threshold to follow a four-year HBO course is too high for many employees, according to Woudman. ,,Now we offer technicians from all our ICD companies the opportunity to expand their knowledge after all.’’
lectures
The course is composed with college-level components. Upon successful completion, participants are eligible for exemptions from advanced training. Woudman explains that developing a full-fledged HBO course is complex and takes a long time. ’’That's why we chose this course first.’’ The course lasts a year and a half with one afternoon and evening lecture each week. These are given by teachers of the Hanzehogeschool Groningen at Neopost in Drachten. Woudman: ,,Mathematics and Electrical Engineering are the first modules our technicians go through. If the course is a success, there is a good chance that we will have another group of technicians start next school year.''