Stichting STC-Group expands college to build high-tech knowledge hub in the shipping and logistics industry with investment from EU regional funding.
- 21 June 2016
The project has resulted in a 20 % increase in students over three consecutive years and the creation of a series of new teaching positions to meet demand. Upon graduation, students have had a near 100 % success rate in finding employment.
The Netherlands’ second biggest city, Rotterdam, is famous internationally for its seafaring heritage and as a gateway to Europe. It is one of the world’s busiest ports – and Europe’s largest – covering 105 square kilometers and services the needs of millions of consumers. It is also a hub of knowledge for the shipping industry, attracting students and industry professionals from Europe and further afield to the STC-Group.
International, innovative and hands-on
Founded in the 1990s, after a merger of all Dutch maritime colleges, the institute offers preparatory vocational education (VMBO), senior secondary vocational education (MBO) and higher professional education (HBO) in accordance with the Dutch educational system. In the private domain, it offers accredited master’s-level courses and consultancy. It covers all sectors of the maritime sector, ranging from ports, road transport, logistics, ship and yacht building, shipping, hydraulic engineering, the dredging industry, Rhine and inland shipping, to the process industry.
One of STC Group’s major attractions has been its unique Simulator Park, which includes a high voltage laboratory, bridge simulators, a fire & safety training centre and a logistics centre. The college says it prides itself on offering practical, hands-on experience.
STC-Group is also an international organisation with branches in South Africa, Oman, Vietnam, the Philippines and activities in Kazakhstan and Colombia.
A knowledge hub
As a result of EU investment and national funding, STC-Group has been able to modernise its facilities and increase the number of students enrolled. A separate expansion project provided for two new buildings in the historic seaport of Brielle and Waalhaven harbour in Rotterdam. These premises allowed STC Group to expand the simulators that mimic industrial processes, such as loading and unloading chemical tankers and offshore vessel operations. The buildings also accommodate a conference room, library, ICT-facilities, extra classrooms and offices, plus a professional kitchen with both a student and a staff restaurant.
The funding provides for new impetus to partake in industry collaboration initiatives and focus on e-learning projects. In total, 35 innovation and R&D projects have been outlined.
New courses are also on offer as a result of the expansion. Students can now sit exams to become qualified train drivers, shunters and car inspectors after the Rail Training Service Centre (RTSC) moved to the STC-Group buildings after being acquired by the college.
Some 6 000 students are currently enrolled in vocational or bachelor/master programmes that address specific skill shortages in the transport sector as outlined in regional innovation strategies.
The institute aims to continue to attract large international enterprises, as well as small innovation-focused companies.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “European Transport Academy (shipping and transport college in the Netherlands)” is EUR 18 200 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 7 500 000 through the “Employment and Competitiveness” Operational Programme West-Netherlands for the 2007-2013 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Innovation and Entrepreneurship”.