Introduction to technical professions in practical location Entree
A unique effort from education, business and the municipality of Zoetermeer has resulted in a new special location for technical education in the new urban district of Entree. For residents of Zoetermeer and the region, a wonderful place has been found where education and business together offer a teaching program for primary, secondary and vocational students. Uniquely, it also provides retraining and further education and learning-work programs for adults and employees.
Aldermen Marijke van der Meer (Education) and Jan Iedema (Economy and Entree) are enthusiastic about the practical location. Van der Meer: "By introducing students to technology at a young age, there is a good chance that more students will later choose a technical profession. In addition, people who are already working can also strengthen their position by taking retraining or additional training." Alderman Jan Iedema sees opportunities for the city: "Through the cooperation with entrepreneurs, more adults in the technical field are already being trained in the short term to work in the technical companies in and around Zoetermeer. This also makes the technical practice location of value to the existing business community, now and in the future."
Since January 2020, regions receive money from the state to work on strong, attractive and innovative technical education that prepares students well for training and work in the region. Zoetermeer is one of these regions. In order to implement this, the partnership Sterk Techniek Onderwijs Zoetermeer (STO Zoetermeer) was created. Municipality of Zoetermeer is a partner in the partnership, together with education and business. Sterk Techniekonderwijs Zoetermeer is a broad partnership of primary education, vmbo, mbo, regional business and the municipality of Zoetermeer. Some partners who contribute to developments for the technical practice site are also affiliated with STO Zoetermeer.
The Municipal Executive proposes to the City Council to provide a one-time financial contribution of €150,000 to support the project.
The address of the practical location Entree will be Boerhaavelaan 33. The technical practical location in formation does not yet have a name. To this end, Zoetermeer students from grade 7, 8 and the bridge class are being asked to come up with a catchy name that can be submitted during a competition on Oct. 25, during the 'Techniek Tastbaar' occupational fair.
We expect a grand opening of the location in the course of this calendar year. This opening will be provided by the initiators of the technical practice location; Unicoz, mboRijnland, van Dorp Installatietechniek, Era Contour, BAM, Dura Vermeer, Waaijerbouw, JP van Eesteren, Installatiewerken ZH, municipality of Zoetermeer and Haagbouw.