ROVC, Luka and Binnenklimaat Nederland team up for a healthy future
Ede - Trade associations Luka and Binnenklimaat Nederland join forces with technical training provider ROVC for a healthy indoor climate. The Netherlands is becoming increasingly aware that they spend a lot of time indoors or in the office. With this awareness, the demand for better indoor air quality also increases. Air treatment systems have the function of optimising the climate in a room via temperature, clean air and humidity. Air ducts and related components are indispensable in air treatment installations, as are skilled mechanics with the right knowledge and skills to work on these installations. While Luka had previously provided courses for air duct fitters and chief fitters, there was no recognised diploma for these technicians. This needed to change, according to both industry associations.
Joint approach
Together with ROVC, the Luka and Binnenklimaat Nederland have developed a pathway to get people excited about a career in air distribution. With this, all parties involved hope to attract the necessary technicians to the industry, and issue recognised diplomas. On Wednesday 11 September last, the cooperation agreement was signed that will enable both experienced technicians, and lateral entrants to obtain an industry-recognised diploma via fast-track routes.
That forces needed to be joined was something Remi Hompe, director of Binnenklimaat Nederland, had known for years. "The call for a healthy indoor climate is only increasing and regulations will certainly not be lacking in this," he says. "My ambition has always been to realise a joint Vakcentrum Binnenklimaattechniek, in which practical education can be provided across the board. Together with ROVC, the practical centre in Ede was realised three years ago. Since then, several parties have joined, including IW Netherlands, Techniek Nederland and now also the Luka."
Laura Nijburg, president of the Luka: "About eight years ago, we invested heavily in e-learning courses for mechanics and chief mechanics of air ducts to take the Luka's quality aspirations to a higher level in practice as well. However, the market has changed and we now see a much greater need for modular and classroom learning. When we heard about Binnenklimaat Nederland's initiative, we were soon enthusiastic. At the end of last year, we started talks to connect the Luka to this and we are happy that we have now succeeded."
Recognised diplomas for technicians
Albert Walda, director of Vakcentrum Binnenklimaattechniek, received a SLIM grant to get started on a development plan for air duct mechanics, but soon ran into the realities of funded MBO education. "There appeared to be no qualification specification in which this profession fitted," says Walda. "However, Nico van Leeuwen, Business Developer at ROVC, immediately came up with a solution and within six months we put the training together."
"We have a modular format in which, depending on the amount of experience, you need two to eight learning days to obtain the Air Duct Technician diploma," van Leeuwen says. "Added to that is six months of learning-on-the-job with the necessary workplace assignments. Also, people who have previously obtained a Luka diploma can have it converted at examination organisation PBNA. In this way, we have already successfully trained more than a hundred lateral entrants over the past two years, all of whom are still working in the industry."
Walda is grateful for the collaboration. "I am happy that I was able to transfer my knowledge and experience, which resulted in a sustainable solution for our industry. It is and remains a wonderful profession, but at the same time invisible. Now we can enthuse people and also offer them a wonderful future with industry-recognised diplomas."
