The challenges facing the metal and manufacturing industry are considerable, but at the same time, the future offers enormous opportunities. That is precisely why Flanders Metals Valley (FMV) has chosen to focus explicitly on the future generation during Advanced Engineering. On the first day of the fair, they will bring education and industry together around one crucial theme: talent development.
Flanders Metals Valley is a network organisation that brings together companies, research institutes and universities within the Flemish metal ecosystem. Its founding members include heavyweights such as Aperam, Nyrstar, Umicore, Aurubis and OCAS. The network has since grown to around fifty members.
‘Today, we bring together not only major industrial players, but also SMEs, universities such as KU Leuven, UGent and VUB, and research institutions such as VITO and OCAS,’ says Wim Maervoet, coordinator of FMV. ‘What connects them are common challenges that can be tackled more efficiently together than alone.’
Education and industry in dialogue
One of those challenges is finding and retaining talent. At Advanced Engineering, FMV therefore deliberately focuses on schools and STEM education. ‘Education must be able to indicate what it needs, but industry must also make clear which skills are crucial today and tomorrow,’ explains Wim. ‘On the first day of the fair, many schools and teachers visit, which is the ideal moment to start that dialogue.’
‘Engaging in dialogue often leads to very concrete actions: company visits, guest lectures, teaching materials or guided tours.’
During the event, various companies from the FMV network share concrete examples of how they collaborate with educational institutions. This is followed by an open debate and a networking opportunity.
‘Last year, we organised a similar event at Technopolis, and it was hugely inspiring. Companies then effectively build sustainable relationships with schools in their region to attract local STEM talent. Simply engaging in dialogue often leads to very concrete actions: company visits, guest lectures, teaching materials or guided tours.’
Fishing in the same pond
According to Wim, this connection between education and industry is more important today than ever. ‘Everyone is fishing in the same pond these days. All forms of industry are looking for talent. So it is essential to remain top of mind with young people and their teachers, while at the same time positively reinforcing the image of the sector.’
‘Everyone is fishing in the same pond today. So it is essential to remain top of mind with young people and their teachers.’
There is also a broader social ambition at play here. ‘We attract a lot of talent from abroad today, and that is and remains a good thing. But we also have a strong education system that produces local talent. To prevent that talent from being poached, we need to offer them prospects. And those prospects are created through dialogue and cooperation.’
More than just a trade fair
The event at Advanced Engineering is part of a broader initiative by Flanders Metals Valley. Every year, the organisation sets up a dozen activities, ranging from plant visits and substantive seminars to industry nights where companies can introduce themselves to students.
‘Our added value lies in knowledge sharing and networking,’ concludes Wim. ‘You learn new things, but above all, you get to know the right people to move forward together.’
The “war for talent” is a familiar problem for many companies in the metal and manufacturing industry. But a strong network and targeted collaborations offer opportunities. An unmissable opportunity to build the future of the sector together: Wednesday 6 May at Flanders Expo Ghent.
Flanders Metals Valley is a network organisation that brings together companies, research institutes and universities within the Flemish metal ecosystem. Its founding members include heavyweights such as Aperam, Nyrstar, Umicore, Aurubis and OCAS. The network has since grown to around fifty members.
‘Today, we bring together not only major industrial players, but also SMEs, universities such as KU Leuven, UGent and VUB, and research institutions such as VITO and OCAS,’ says Wim Maervoet, coordinator of FMV. ‘What connects them are common challenges that can be tackled more efficiently together than alone.’
Education and industry in dialogue
One of those challenges is finding and retaining talent. At Advanced Engineering, FMV therefore deliberately focuses on schools and STEM education. ‘Education must be able to indicate what it needs, but industry must also make clear which skills are crucial today and tomorrow,’ explains Wim. ‘On the first day of the fair, many schools and teachers visit, which is the ideal moment to start that dialogue.’
‘Engaging in dialogue often leads to very concrete actions: company visits, guest lectures, teaching materials or guided tours.’
During the event, various companies from the FMV network share concrete examples of how they collaborate with educational institutions. This is followed by an open debate and a networking opportunity.
‘Last year, we organised a similar event at Technopolis, and it was hugely inspiring. Companies then effectively build sustainable relationships with schools in their region to attract local STEM talent. Simply engaging in dialogue often leads to very concrete actions: company visits, guest lectures, teaching materials or guided tours.’
Fishing in the same pond
According to Wim, this connection between education and industry is more important today than ever. ‘Everyone is fishing in the same pond these days. All forms of industry are looking for talent. So it is essential to remain top of mind with young people and their teachers, while at the same time positively reinforcing the image of the sector.’
‘Everyone is fishing in the same pond today. So it is essential to remain top of mind with young people and their teachers.’
There is also a broader social ambition at play here. ‘We attract a lot of talent from abroad today, and that is and remains a good thing. But we also have a strong education system that produces local talent. To prevent that talent from being poached, we need to offer them prospects. And those prospects are created through dialogue and cooperation.’
More than just a trade fair
The event at Advanced Engineering is part of a broader initiative by Flanders Metals Valley. Every year, the organisation sets up a dozen activities, ranging from plant visits and substantive seminars to industry nights where companies can introduce themselves to students.
‘Our added value lies in knowledge sharing and networking,’ concludes Wim. ‘You learn new things, but above all, you get to know the right people to move forward together.’
The “war for talent” is a familiar problem for many companies in the metal and manufacturing industry. But a strong network and targeted collaborations offer opportunities. An unmissable opportunity to build the future of the sector together: Wednesday 6 May at Flanders Expo Ghent.
