On Wednesday 10 January 2024, Techport celebrated its tenth anniversary. During the festive event in IJmuiden, the successful cooperation of the past ten years was discussed. But above all, it looked ahead to the future, and in particular to realising the energy transition in the IJmond region, Techport's focus area. Jessica Peters-Hondelink, director director of the Amsterdam Economic Board, conveyed her congratulations and expressed her wish that we continue to work together for a strong region in the years to come. Techport chairman Mark Denys accepted the gift, an olive tree.
Collaborating with Gen Z
To realise the energy transition, the circular economy and digitalisation, sufficient qualified workers are needed. That is why Techport has been working for 10 years to promote technology in education, encourage lateral entry, accelerate technological innovation and develop regional training offers for the jobs of the future. At the anniversary celebration, Jos Ahlers, author of 'Gen Z - Desire for Change' spoke about the generation now entering the labour market and how different generations can work together.
You can watch the presentation on Gen Z here.
Housing Techport Innovation Centre
Growing further together and creating the Netherlands' first green industrial zone is the Techport's ambition for the coming years. The Techport Innovation Centre (TPIC) plays an important role in this. The TPIC will be a development and meeting centre for the technicians of the future, companies, education and government and will be housed in part of the Nova College Scheepvaart in IJmuiden from March 2024. The Techport-initiated Living Labs Green Incubator programme, the Fieldlab Smart Energy and the Learning Community Hydrogen can start immediately at this temporary site. Plans for the final new building location continue unabated.
New partnership model
Within Techport, 70 companies and 23 schools and several governments are active; Techport's partners. A partnership within Techport means reciprocal cooperation. Companies that also want to contribute financially can from now on 'Techport company Plus' become. Intures kicks off and is the first Techport company Plus. From Theo Koster, he received the certificate. Which companies will follow Intures' example? Find out more here.
Techport in action
Techport has four action lines: choose, learn, work and innovate. But what does this mean in practice? On stage, Kim Beszelsen of De Vliegende Hollander primary school, Erdogan Öztürk of Nova College, Martijn Witteveen of Blok System Supply and André Kapitein of KapiteinLabs talked about their Techport activities, why they are Techport schools or Techport companies, what they have to offer and what they need. It led to a lively discussion and a good picture of what the Techport network can do for a school or company.
Looking to the future
The anniversary celebration was concluded by Techport director Mark Denys. He raised a toast to the collaboration and the ambitions and plans for the future. Over the coming months, we will highlight various Techport activities in online stories. In October 2024, the anniversary year will conclude at a closing event.