When it comes to logistics, Neele-Vat is now a household name in the Netherlands. Whether it’s road, sea or air transport, storage or customs activities: Neele-Vat has it covered. Within Europe, but also worldwide. Dangerous goods, but also other cargo, for example, for the food sector. Neele-Vat’s trademark is customization. “That’s where an educator like Special Cargo College fits in.”
Proficiency
“And that collaboration goes back a long time,” says Annerieke de Gelder, HR team leader, from the newest location near Pernis. “Our HR director knew teacher Jannie van Vliet from Special Cargo. For example, we started the course Vakbekwaamheid Behandeling Gevaarlijke Stoffen (VBGS). This is mandatory for any company where more than 2,500 kg of dangerous goods are or may be stored. So, for example, our PGS 15 warehouse at the Maasvlakte. In addition, the regulator here – the DCMR – has made VBGS mandatory for all companies in the Rijnmond area.”
Short lines
For example, Neele-Vat started a few training sessions in Spijkenisse, one of Special Cargo College’s training locations. But soon the collaboration expanded to other locations. “The nice thing is that teachers Jannie van Vliet and Cor Schaatsbergen know our organization well. Because sometimes a training course doesn’t run as smoothly as it should, because the level is quite high and our employees sometimes have trouble with it. Then it is great that the lines of communication with these two are so short and that they think along about customized solutions.”
Bespoke
“For example, Jannie had suggested tailoring the VBGS training to Neele-Vat. The only drawback is that the employees could then not receive a certificate from the examination institute CBR. Special Cargo could then put together a customized certificate. We are brainstorming about that now,” says Annerieke.
Reliable partner
She continues: “After all, logistics is all about people. They have to be competent and work safely. One of our core values is specifically to train our employees well, so that we can always continue to provide customized services. In that, Special Cargo College is a reliable partner that fits well with our philosophy.”
“Logistics is all about people. These must be competent and work safely”
Classroom, in-company or customization
Annerieke’s colleague, Jackie van Kralingen, is responsible for planning the training sessions. To that end, she has regular contact with Jannie, Cor or account manager Joyce. “In consultation with them, we plan the trainings classically, in-company or sometimes also as customization. This is convenient at our Amsterdam location, for example.”
Training Portal
“But we don’t just do VBGS you know. Also, for example, air cargo clerk, security manager, and ADR courses. I book all that through Special Cargo College’s training portal. That works very well. We get a notification from the system when a particular certificate is about to expire. That notification also goes to the employee himself. Only for in-company trainings do I contact one of the contacts directly,” Jackie said.
Feedback
Until now, this has always been by phone or through Teams, she continued. “But soon we will have our first live appointment. Then we are going to give some mutually more active feedback about the trainings: how are the lessons going, how is the commitment of the employees, and from us: how do the employees experience the training? Because the instructors also have to deal with many different types of employees. Cor and Jannie, with their experience, are exactly the right people for that.”
