Educational initiatives in Vlaardingen and Veendam focus on skills and service

In Vlaardingen, Mayor Frederik Zevenbergen has officially opened the TOV Experience Center, a facility designed to provide practical technical education to students ranging from primary school through the fourth year of secondary education. The center aims to address the shortage of technically skilled personnel by allowing students to explore various technical professions through hands-on learning at fourteen specialized stations.

Supported by local entrepreneurs, schools, and the RegioDeal Waterweg, the center utilizes professional coaches to guide students through practical assignments. This initiative follows a broader trend of practical learning centers in the Netherlands intended to connect youth directly with industries facing labor shortages.

In Veendam, the Winkler Prins school is continuing its commitment to social engagement through its annual MaS-markt. For the 2026/2027 school year, 568 students are scheduled to complete a combined 17,040 hours of voluntary community service. Despite the removal of national mandates and subsidies for social internships, the school maintains the requirement of at least 30 hours per student to foster personal development and community contribution.