Renewed design for the foundation vocational school

This spring, Training Center Crescendo is launching an updated format of the Foundation Specialist School. This hands-on training program was developed in cooperation with the NVAF and is designed to train and advance employees in the foundation industry. And that especially in an approachable and practical way, exactly what Training Center Crescendo is known for. An interview with founder and owner Joop van der Wal.

We are the training partner for construction and infrastructure, industry and logistics, says Joop. "We offer a whole package of training, distinguishing ourselves by our practical approach. We level with our trainees and find it important that they feel at home and comfortable with us. They are all 'guys' with golden hands. We speak their language and treat them with respect, even if, for example, someone is not very handy with math or writing. We are also honest with our clients. If a trainee has absolutely no machine sense, we speak that out too, admittedly in a respectful way, but we don't tamper with safety on the shop floor."

From TCVT to Code 95

From TCVT operator training courses, associated refresher courses, forklift and aerial work platform training, BHV, VCA, DLP and OPM to instruction in working safely with various machines and Code 95, Training Center Crescendo's offerings are wide-ranging. "With this wide range of training and courses, our clients can get all their training needs from one address," says Joop. "The winter months are typically the months for construction and infrastructure in which a lot of repeat training is carried out. We regularly organize various training courses for 200 employees of one company in one day, so that they don't have to worry about it for the rest of the year. We do this both at our own location in Hoorn and at the customer's location. We have a permanent team of trainers surrounded by a nice flexible shell, so we can offer our training offer nationwide."

Foundation Trade School

The Funderingsvakschool offers a full range of training for the foundation industry in the Netherlands. Its modular structure allows employers and employees to select in a targeted way what knowledge and skills are needed to strengthen craftsmanship and ensure safety on the construction site. The basic training focuses on essential skills such as working safely on the construction site, securing loads and understanding foundation techniques. Employers thus directly fulfill the Occupational Health and Safety obligation to properly instruct employees. For employees with experience, the vocational school offers in-depth training that addresses foundation techniques and risk management. There are also optional modules for those who want to focus on load-bearing structures such as foundation piles or on soil and water retaining structures such as sheet piling. There is also a course for executives that focuses on team management, safety and project coordination.

Together with the NVAF and several other companies, we have created a great program with the Funderingsvakschool that capitalizes on knowledge development and increasing overall safety in the industry, Joop believes. "It would be nice if it eventually became part of the collective bargaining agreement. The training courses are provided in Dutch, English and German." Finally, Joop says he has been approached by a Danish party to set up the Funderingsvakschool in Denmark as well. He also sits on a European working group to possibly roll out the "certificate of expertise" even more widely.