Expert groups increase clout of entire infrastructure sector

A training, course or piece of personal development for the construction and infra you follow successfully at branch training institute BOB-KOB in Zoetermeer. Since 2021, the development programs have been bundled in the Infra Academy. This Infra Academy is from and for the sector and intended for everyone who wants to make it in the infrastructure sector. On the way to that intended success, BOB-KOB likes to cooperate with representatives from the market. The upcoming establishment of several so-called expert groups fits perfectly within that aim. "We want to further develop our courses and keep them up-to-date. It is important to make full use of the experience and expertise of both contractors and clients," says director Edwin van der Weijden.

Within a high-quality learning environment, the 80 years young BOB-KOB offers over one hundred different courses, for various sectors. Developed in close cooperation with specialists and provided by didactically trained teachers who have been working successfully within their field for years or still are. This is also happening within the Infra Academy, launched in 2021, the training institute for executives in the infrastructure sector. "We have a suitable education or training for everyone," says Nico Willemsen, Infra Academy manager. "Regardless of prior education, position, experience or the specific infra discipline in which someone is active. For example, we train people for a position as a contractor, work planner, calculator or project leader. We do all this through job-focused and project-driven education and training in which a wide variety of topics are covered and practicality is key." 

Knowledge clusters and expert groups

As a trainer of and for the construction and infrastructure industry, BOB-KOB, which is administratively affiliated with Bouwend Nederland, is constantly working to further develop the training program and to seamlessly match the needs of the market. In doing so, the Infra Academy likes to use the experiences, knowledge and skills of contractors and clients. "Good can always be better," continues Willemsen. "This is why it is very important that the content of our courses is of the highest level and in line with current events. Only then will you offer a product about which your customer, both on the supply and demand side, is enthusiastic in practice." In order to clearly identify developments, innovations and other relevant aspects, BOB-KOB has taken the initiative to form various expert groups. Here the intention is to bring together leading market players from a specific info discipline with other industry experts. "All this with the intention of gathering input, so that we can give the training package, which actually belongs to the sector and thus infrastructure companies, more structure, content and body," explains Van der Weijden. "A goal from which not only we, as BOB-KOB, can reap the benefits. This is also important for the infrastructure companies. After all, by having input into the content of our training courses, they are indirectly helping their own organization, people and performance advance. That really completes the circle. 

Launch

As initiators of the Infra Academy, Van der Weijden and Willemsen hope to have the expert groups complete around September of this year. Shortly thereafter, the knowledge clusters will meet. "The intention is for us to meet twice a year," Willemsen said. "In physical form or online. We will, of course, inform the participants about that in good time."

Would you like to sign up for one of KOB-BOB's expert groups? If so, please contact Nico Willemsen at willemsen@bob-kob.nl