Enhancing Skills and Collaboration: Fostering Innovation in VET-Industry-Skills Competitions
International Course Programme VET in the EU
March 19-21, 2025
Skills The Finals, the Netherlands
Welcome
The organizing partners: The Dutch Alliance, Network of Networks and WorldSkills Netherlands would like to invite you to visit the national Skills Competitions, Skills The Finals, in the Netherlands and participate in a dedicated international course programme that includes a visit to Dutch Vocational Education and Training (VET) colleges. This programme is organized for delegates of VET colleges and WorldSkills organisations in Europe. It takes place at RAI Amsterdam, March 19-21, 2025.
We would be honoured to welcome you to the beautiful city of Amsterdam and RAI Amsterdam. Amsterdam is in 2025 celebrating its 750th anniversary and special activities will we organised. Amsterdam is known as an international hub and gateway to Europe and famous about its historic buildings, museums, warehouses, port and the canals. The city centre is a UNESCO world heritage.
Theme and Objectives
This international course programme is organized in response to the growing need for innovative solutions in the collaboration between VET colleges, industry, and skills competitions. Enhanced national and international cooperation and co-creation are essential to address challenges within the EU, such as student motivation, skill development, and the training and qualification of young professionals. These efforts are crucial in the context of globalization, sustainability, technological advancements in craftsmanship, and the shortage of skilled labour.
The programme aims to offer participants the opportunity to discuss and learn about the latest insights and developments in VET-Industry-Skills Competitions across different countries. It seeks to create a hub for designing innovative solutions between VET colleges and WorldSkills organisations by sharing best practices, gaining new insights, and learning from the Dutch ’triple helix’ system.
National VET-Competition Finals
In addition to this programme you can visit Skills The Finals (the Dutch national Skills Competitions), one of the largest events of its kind in Europe. The event spans 36,000 square meters and features over 10 pre-VET finals, 55 VET finals, and more than 100 ’try and trade’ activities, along with various side programmes and presentations from the Dutch high-tech industry. Approximately 30,000 visitors are expected over the two-day event.
So we have a lot to offer that can be profitable for your work in order to make VET, Skills Competitions and international collaboration even better throughout Europe.
See you soon in Amsterdam!
Yours sincerely,
Erik van der Zwan
CEO
WorldSkills Netherlands
Peter Siemann
steering committee TDA
Member of Network of networks
International Course Programme
We kindly request to arrange your flights, transportations and hotel accommodation.
Erasmus+ Funding: VET schools can participate the international course programme with Erasmus plus (KA1) funding from their organisation. TDA can act as the hosting organisation and sign the necessary documents. Please mail to Mrs. Semma Groenendijk, s.groenendijk@rocva.nl.
| …… – 10.00 | Arrival at Schiphol Airport. Travel to Amsterdam by train/taxi |
| 11.30 – 12.00 | Arrival at VET-College ROC van Amsterdam-MBO College Zuid, Europaboulevard 13, Amsterdam |
| 12.00 – 12.15 | Welcome by WorldSkills Netherlands, TDA and ROC van Amsterdam |
| 12.15 – 13.30 | Lunch at ROC van Amsterdam-MBO College Zuid |
| 13.30 – 15.15 | WorldSkills Programme: Key note Brigitte van den Berg, Member of the European Parliament; develop impact and co-creation between VET, Industry and Skills Competitions in the EU Best practices of cooperation and innovative solutions between VET-Industry-Skills Competitions in the EU: Michael Boas Pedersen, (WorldSkills) Denmark and Jürgen Kraft, (WorldSkills) Austria |
| 15.15 – 15.30 | Coffee break at ROC van Amsterdam-MBO College Zuid |
| 15.30 – 17.00 | Guided tour and presentation VET colleges of ROC van Amsterdam (for delegates and International officers and other international guests of VET schools in Europe) Programme about Skills Competitions and Training for Official Delegates and Technical Delegates of WorldSkills organisations in Europe. Best practice VET-Industry-Skills Competitions: Aline Soerdjpal, (WorldSkills) Netherlands |
| 17.00 – 18.00 | Break (drinks and snacks) and networks |
| 18.30 – 21.00 | Diner at Van der Valk Hotel, close to RAI Amsterdam |
| 09.00 | Check-out (if you plan to leave Thursday) |
| 09.00 – 10.00 | Travel to the RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein 24, Amsterdam for visit Skills The Finals. |
| 10.00 | Arrival at the venue |
| 10.00 – 10.30 | Coffee break |
| 10.30 – 12.15 | Guided tour Skills The Finals (Dutch national Skills Competitions), try and trade and industry programme |
| 12.30 – 13.30 | Lunch at ROC van Amsterdam-MBO College Zuid |
| 13.30 – 17.00 |
Optional: own programme
|
| 17.00 | To hotel, restaurant or airport |
| 9.00 | Check-out at the hotel. Travel to ROC van Amsterdam-MBO College Noord Gare du Nord 13, Amsterdam |
| 9.45 | Arrival at ROC van Amsterdam-MBO College Noord (10 minutes by metro from RAI-Amsterdam or Amsterdam Central Station to Amsterdam Noord metro station) |
| 10.00 – 12.30 |
International programme for International Officers and delegates of VET-schools and WorldSkills organisations in Europe Roundtable sessions about the following subjects:
|
| 12.15 – 12.30 | Sharing conclusions round table sessions |
| 12.30 – 13.15 | Lunch at ROC van Amsterdam-MBO College Noord |
| 13.15 – 13.30 | By metro back to RAI Amsterdam, Skills The Finals. Final signal Skills Competitions at 13.30-14.00 at the venue |
| 14.30 – …. | Travel to airport by train/taxi |
Partners
WorldSkills Netherlands
Independent charity in the Netherlands for promoting VET and craftsmanship by organizing Skills Competitions for pre-VET schools and VET colleges. Team Netherlands to EuroSkills and WorldSkills competitions.
The Dutch Alliance
A strategic network of 7 VET colleges in the Netherlands aligned and collaborating to enhance skills competitions and internationalisation for VET-students.
Skills The Finals is organized by WorldSkills Netherlands in collaboration with VET colleges in the province of Noord Holland.
Costs
Package programme 1
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday- Diner on Wednesday, lunches, (coffee) breaks included
Package programme 2
Wednesday and Thursday- Diner on Wednesday, lunches, (coffee) breaks included
Package programme 3
Thursday- Lunch, coffee breaks included
Package programme 4
Friday- Lunch, coffee breaks included
* administration and handling excluded
See registration form for registration Skills The Finals and special course programme March 19-21, 2025
Suggestions
Arrival in the Netherlands
Schiphol-Airport is near Amsterdam. By train of taxi it takes only 10 minutes from Schiphol-Airport to Amsterdam (Amsterdam-Zuid train station and RAI Amsterdam). From Schiphol-Airport to Amsterdam City Centre and Central Station it takes 20-30 minutes. Taxi can be arranged at your own expense. If you want to take advantage of this service, please mail Mrs, Wendy Hoeve, hoeve@worldskillsnetherlands.nl.
Hotels
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
rooms per night € 350-450
NH City Centre Amsterdam
rooms per night € 250-300
Double Tree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Station
rooms per night € 300-350
NH Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam
rooms per night € 290-400
NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Place
rooms per night € 250-300
Westcord Fashion hotel Amsterdam Slotervaart
rooms per night € 150-200
Optional own programme
Amsterdam 750th anniversary
In 2025 the city of Amsterdam is celebrating its 750th anniversary. With its historic buildings, warehouses, port and the canals the city centre is a UNESCO world heritage. Everything there is only on 8 km2 (4-6 square miles): hotels, conference accommodations, the canals, museums, historic buildings and side seeing’s.
Amsterdam Canals
Originally in the 16th and 17th century entrepreneurship, craftsmanship and shipbuilding in Amsterdam melted to new industries and trading companies. The 17th century was the golden age for Holland, Amsterdam as the biggest port was thé international hotspot in the world and many artisans, entrepreneurs and painters had their domicile in Amsterdam.
Nowadays it is a very modern and multicultural city where over 150 different nationalities are living in harmony. Where industrial and fashion design and the development of high-tech and life sciences makes Amsterdam a respected creativity centre in Europe.
Amsterdam museums
But Amsterdam is also famous for other things, particular the museums with the Dutch masters. Paintings of Rembrandt and Vermeer such as the Night Watch and the Girl with the Pearl will show you excellence. Another famous Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh has its own museum nearby The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Many more museums such as Nemo, the T-VET experience centre for the youth, The Hermitage, the Anne Frank house. The Eye Museum and the National Maritime Museum are also located in Amsterdam.
So Amsterdam has everything for an extended stay for a few more days to add to the special international programme.
Contact Amsterdam Tourist Office for more information and reservations
See also the calendar of Amsterdam 750 activities
Five Reasons to Visit
Stay Informed: Discover the latest advancements in Vocational Education and Training (VET), skills competitions, and industry developments in the Netherlands and other European countries.
Enhance Collaboration: Engage in discussions on improving cooperation between VET schools, industry, and skills competitions within your country and across Europe.
Network and Share Ideas: Connect with officers and delegates from VET schools and WorldSkills organizations to exchange ideas on skills competencies, sustainability, qualification frameworks, and maximizing the benefits of skills competitions.
Leverage Funding Opportunities: Utilize your Erasmus+ subsidy (KA1, if available) or other funding sources for this programme to gain insights and ideas for your organization or school.
Experience the ‘Triple Helix’ Model: Observe how the VET system, skills competitions, and industry collaborate as a ’triple helix’ in the Netherlands.