Sought & found: bridge between education and workplace
In collaboration with the TechnOV technical secondary school, Siemens prepares STEM students to be successful in the labor market.
Partnerships between businesses and education are essential to boost enrolment in technical fields, strengthen the connection to the labour market, and inspire young people to proudly choose a career in industry. With a dedicated initiative, Siemens and TechnOV are answering that call. "Our students were incredibly motivated to get an in-depth look at the leading supplier of the materials they work with every week," says teacher Benjamin De Donder.
TechnOV — a STEM school with vision and expertise
TechnOV is not just any place to learn STEM sciences and technologies. Located in the heart of Vilvoorde, the school sits in an economically highly relevant region and serves a very diverse, multilingual student population. On top of that, TechnOV can count on teachers with strong ties to industry. One of them is Benjamin De Donder: "Many colleagues have 10 to 15 years of hands-on experience and still maintain close contacts with companies. That is a tremendous asset for the school."
With a range of programmes spanning academic, dual, and labour-market tracks, TechnOV gives every young person the opportunity to choose a path that perfectly matches their interests. Benjamin: "Our STEM days are a great expression of that vision. We take 5th, 6th, and 7th-year students on company visits so they can experience first-hand what life on the work floor is really like."
For teacher Piotr Mazurek, those STEM days are equally crucial in bridging the gap with the workplace: "But companies — especially software companies — are not always eager to open their doors. That's exactly why we were pleasantly surprised when Siemens reached out. For our students, this was very welcome, since they work with these materials on a weekly basis."
As a school, we generally choose Siemens equipment. It's a recommendation strongly endorsed by many of our colleagues with private-sector experience, given Siemens' presence in so many companies.
Training talents for a sustainable, digital transition
For Siemens, partnerships with educational institutions are an ideal way to support STEM education and make a positive impact on society. And this goes beyond collaborations with universities and colleges, such as our partnership on sustainable building management with the University of Antwerp or on SIMARIS design with VIVES Kortrijk. Technical secondary schools are more than welcome too.
A cross-pollination that bears fruit
Bernardo Lopez, Portfolio Manager Comfort at Siemens Smart Infrastructure Belgium, explains: "We want to give young people the opportunity to explore the latest, most innovative technologies as early as possible."
For TechnOV, Bernardo Lopez and colleague Oscar Kreps put together a workshop covering a range of topics. "We addressed subjects including industrial networks, communication, security, electrification, and the automation of building management systems," says Bernardo.
"With the visit to the demo space, we made it tangible how system boards and switchgear are used in an industrial context," says Oscar.
"The students were clearly motivated to learn. Their open-minded perspective and genuine interest contributed to the interactive nature of the workshops. The group asked a lot of relevant questions — and that kind of fresh, unbiased perspective sometimes plants the seeds for a new idea or project."
There was plenty of enthusiasm on the other side too. Teacher Piotr Mazurek: "The workshop was very well prepared. Oscar first gauged the group's level of knowledge and then built on it with didactic materials, video content, and real-world field experience. And the students loved being able to see a medium-voltage substation, low-voltage switchboard, and power circuit breakers on site. In short, everyone was fully engaged. And what's important for us: the session aligned perfectly with our curriculum objectives."
The workshop was a real eye-opener. Of course I know Siemens, but I had no idea they offered so many different products, systems, and solutions, or that they were present in so many sectors.
A first collaboration that leaves you wanting more
Teacher Benjamin De Donder senses that society is once again looking more positively at technical fields. "For the past 15 years, we've been working with small groups in the final school years. But at entry level, among first-year students, we're seeing an ever-growing intake."
"I believe that's because parents are feeling the shortage of technical profiles right in their own living rooms — from electrical technicians to roofers. These have become true skilled experts who actively contribute to a sustainable future. Appreciation for these professions is on the rise. And we're glad that industrial partners like Siemens are helping to shape that positive image."
I used to follow a more theoretical track, but I missed the hands-on side. That's how I ended up in STEM education at TechnOV. Later, I want to specialize in cybersecurity.
"It's also important that the students stay motivated themselves," Piotr adds. "You can tell them where the opportunities are, but when they see it with their own eyes, it resonates much more. In that respect too, the workshop at Siemens was a bullseye. Several students immediately asked about internships — and Siemens offers those across a wide range of fields."
Meanwhile, Siemens and TechnOV are exploring options to continue this first collaboration. To be continued — without a doubt!