Chance Encounter at Open Day Leads to Collaboration
The idea for the Energy Starters Track came about during an open day. There, Roger Reichrath, course director at EAS, struck up a conversation with David Veldhoen, founder of De Nieuwe Ingenieurs and a Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences graduate. This conversation led to the creation of a track that helps new entrants to the engineering sector find jobs and provides them with guidance. In collaboration with educational institutions, De Nieuwe Ingenieurs develops practical starter programmes that combine learning and working. They connect participants, education and businesses, thereby helping to build a future-proof engineering sector. The roles are clearly defined: De Nieuwe Ingenieurs focuses on placement and contacts with employers, while RUAS provides the education.
According to Roger, the solution to the shortage of technical talent begins with Lifelong Development (LLD). “Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences is very strong in developing and delivering education,” he says. “But we don't automatically speak the language of the professional field, even though that's where we find opportunities and needs. That’s why we wanted to collaborate.” The idea of entering into a partnership with the engineering firm De Nieuwe Ingenieurs soon emerged. “They have the network and the trust of employers. We have the educational expertise. Bringing those two together enables you to create something new and respond to a need within the industry.”
A Joint Response to a Societal Challenge
The Energy Starters Track directly aligns with our strategic ambition for Lifelong Development. RUAS aims to address societal challenges such as the energy transition and the shortage of technical talent. Management at EAS assigned Roger the challenge to develop a concept that would bring this ambition to life.
The two-year Energy Starters Track is ideal for those ready for a new engineering challenge and eager to make an impact. No technical background is required; you will start in an entry-level role immediately. As a trainee, you will gain the necessary knowledge and experience on the job. During a fixed teaching day at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you will learn more about working in a technical organisation under supervision. Participants who complete the track obtain a micro-credential at a higher education level. They go on to fill roles such as engineer, technical draughtsman or work planner.
By May 2026, the track will have been running for a year. The first cohorts have started, and new intakes are planned. Within six months, 21 participants found a suitable job in engineering. Another ten to twenty participants are expected to do so this spring. Equally importantly, the track is constantly evolving. As Roger explains, “We’re learning on all fronts: in teaching, in the selection process and in our collaboration with employers. And we will adapt the track accordingly.”
A glimpse into a typical day on the Energy Starters Track
Lecturers Peter Bos and Pieter van Gorkum hosted us during a day of classes for a group of new trainees. They explained the added value for the sector and society. The trainees spoke about their backgrounds, their motivation for joining the track and what their career step has been like so far.
Job Guarantee is Key
Roger investigated the barriers faced by new entrants and employers. A key insight emerged as early as the preparatory phase: people only switch careers if they are certain that they will succeed. “Participants often already have a job, a home and sometimes a family. They will only take the step if they know there is a paid position waiting for them.” This is why the track was set up with a job guarantee. And it works. Initially, Roger thought it would be difficult to find candidates, but the opposite has proven to be true: around 150 interested applicants have applied per intake. About a third of these turned out to fit the track. The bigger challenge? Convincing the employers. They, too, have their own reservations about hiring a trainee who is still learning.
Roger explains, “Employers often look for the perfect candidate on paper. Instead we focus on motivation, learning ability, and ambition. We’ve found that employers who have taken part once tend to stay involved. The experiences have been positive.”
Diversity in the Classroom is an Advantage
The group of participants is diverse. Differences in age, work experience and prior education are the norm. This diversity places demands on both the lecturers and the course design. Experience of part-time education in Industrial Engineering and Management helps in this regard, “We are used to teaching people who are already in employment and have different backgrounds and levels of experience. That experience is crucial in this track.”
Participants are selected with care. We consider their substantive knowledge, as well as their skills and personality. “We want participants to support and challenge one another. One group may work better together than another, but we actively manage that,” says Roger.
As well as expertise on the energy transition, the track focuses on professional skills. Participants learn how to gather information, conduct interviews, and provide feedback. This prepares trainees with a background in hospitality or animal care, for example, for their future roles in business.
Trainees’ Experiences
This development is reflected in the trainees’ own experiences. They explain how the track strengthened their transition into the technical sector. Last year, two of our trainees joined the engineering firm Atron. They now work on projects such as solar panel farms, infrastructure, and renovations. Thomas Vork is now a trainee engineer at Atron. He designs routes for cables and pipes and supervises guided drilling. “So far, I’ve found the track very positive,” he says. “I started with little technical experience. Seeing what I can do now surprises me. Active research helped me to get to know the company quickly. I spoke to many colleagues and analysed the processes. That gave me a good understanding of Atron in a short space of time.”
At VTTI, a company involved in the storage and use of fuels, trainees work on compliance and technical management. Some participants choose a different department or area of focus during the track, such as environmental issues. Zulayma Susebeek started her career at VTTI as a Health, Safety & Environment Officer in Amsterdam. She is responsible for environmental tasks within VTTI. “I found it very educational and enjoyable. I particularly valued the bonds you build with your fellow students,” says Zulayma. “In addition, the lecturers provide plenty of guidance and support, and they take a flexible approach to what the group needs.”
Exploratory and Preliminary Research
Roger encourages his colleagues to conduct preliminary research when they identify an opportunity for an LLD programme. “Think carefully about what you want to achieve,” he says. “Do your research beforehand and immerse yourself in your target group. Talk to your director and seek out like-minded people. There are already programmes running at RUAS, so our systems and operations are equipped.”
In the preliminary research stage, it is particularly important to engage in dialogue with the professional field and collaboration partners. This helps to gain a clear understanding of organisations’ needs, anticipate them and develop and maintain relationships. Roger concludes, “If you believe in each other as partners, the sky is the limit.”