Eldest son studies at TU Delft and that makes me follow this technical university with extra interest via social media. On their LinkedIn page, for instance, I saw a post passing by asking various questions about the manufacturing industry in the Netherlands. Such as; How can Dutch manufacturing companies continue to compete with foreign countries? How can the growth of our manufacturing industry be promoted and how do we retain knowledge in our own country? People also wondered how to ensure appropriate training and future-proof jobs. The answer would lie with the Technology Industry: innovative manufacturing companies and their suppliers. After all, this industry is a major innovator and job engine.
Regional development company
Interesting stuff, so I scrolled further down TU Delft's LinkedIn timeline and clicked on a link to InnovationQuarter. This is the regional development company for South Holland that invests in innovative South Holland companies with growth ambitions. They also help international companies settle in the Dutch delta region and organise (international) cooperation between entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and the government. InnovationQuarter is made possible by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, the Province of Zuid-Holland, Metropoolregio Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Drechtsteden, Westland and Zoetermeer, TU Delft, Leiden University, Leiden University Medical Centre, Erasmus MC, Stichting HEID (Holdingfonds Economische Investeringen Den Haag) and the European Union.
New impetus
Why this focus on the South Holland manufacturing industry and the cooperation with TU Delft, among others? It's like this. The manufacturing industry in South Holland forms the largest cluster in the Netherlands and is an important part of the TU Delft Campus ecosystem. Together with other South Holland educational institutions, the university trains future professionals whose knowledge and skills can give the manufacturing industry a new impulse. This is important for the Dutch economy, but also necessary for a sustainable future.
Suitable jobs
Did you know that South Holland provides almost a quarter of the Dutch economy and labour market? And although despite the corona crisis, many technical companies are still eager for skilled workers, according to InnovationQuarter, this region also has the highest unemployment rates. So it is understandable that South Holland is developing initiatives to ensure that as many people as possible find suitable jobs in the rapidly changing world. Because it is clear that the world is changing. Take the energy transition. And how will our country become CO2 neutral and how will we switch to a circular industry?
Lifelong learning
So it is logical that the focus is on lifelong learning and development. At TU Delft, together with other South Holland educational institutes, they are making the curriculum future-proof, for instance by including digital skills and knowledge of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all courses. The TU Delft Campus also plays an active role in start-up communities, living & field labs, post-Master's programmes and continuing education in industry, for example.
So all these activities they develop in South Holland are not just for their own region. Through South Holland, they are creating activity for the whole country. Because, the idea is, if Zuid-Holland flourishes, the whole of the Netherlands will reap the benefits. A fine ambition that my son gets to contribute to. Astrid van Ballegoy
