Inclusive technologies hub to spring up in Apeldoorn

It is expected to help people with a disability and seniors find a sustainable job

A total of eight companies, organisations and knowledge institutions from the region of Apeldoorn have started collaborating on the establishment of a Technohub for inclusive technologies. The consortium, whose plan was welcomed by the Municipality of Apeldoorn, focuses on hybrid learning modes through the incorporation of the newest technologies.

The target users are people with a work disability from the Dutch region, but also seniors, who with the help of tech should be able to master new skills with more ease and ultimately - find sustainable employment.

Smart technologies can make a real difference for people with disabilities

The metal and electronic industry is one of the economy's branches currently experiencing a great need for qualified employees. For this reason, the sector decided to investigate the possibility to use hybrid technologies to support current employees or job seekers with a disability.

Examples of such technologies might include Operator Support Systems that project instructions at the workplace of an employee who experiences difficulty remembering assignments. This smart technology can guide him step by step along the process and assure quality. Another technology called exoskeleton could provide support to people with physical complaints.

The examples are countless, and more opportunities can be explored, should the appropriate location be found and equipped with the tools and experts to do this. This is the base of the collaboration between companies, knowledge institutions and technology suppliers from Apeldoorn – a Dutch city and administrative centre with some 160 thousand inhabitants.

Improving working conditions for people with disability and seniors

The potential location they considered for the establishment of a Technohub is the 'NewTech Park' in Apeldoorn where partners and end-users could work closely together on improving working conditions for people with disabilities. This space could offer a training location for future employees in the metal and electronics industry.

Furthermore, it could also offer the chance to experiment and learn from new technologies to young and old, under expert guidance and coaching. The partners also express their intention to share knowledge and insights gained from other companies, sectors, educational institutions and labour market regions.

“I am very proud that Apeldoorn will be hosting the first Inclusive Technohub. A unique consortium of both employers, schools, tech companies and Lucrato, our supported employment organization, will start developing an inclusive hub, where hybrid learning and newest technologies will contribute to a better position on the labor market for both people with disabilities and for older employees. We look forward to the next steps!”, stated Alderman for Economic Affairs of Apeldoorn, Mr Jeroen Joon.

The Technohub is an initiative of the Knowledge Alliance Inclusion and Technology (KIT) and is financed by the social partners. Their number is expected to grow in the upcoming months.

“We shared the idea early 2020 with Lucrato in Apeldoorn; their positive response was a starting point to get all relevant stakeholders on board, and now we got our proposal approved by A+O Metalektro. I am excited about it, due to the energy in the Consortium and the fact it will target both regular employees and people with a distance to the labour market”, commented Leendert Bos from the Knowledge alliance Inclusion and Technology for TheMayor.EU.

For the time being, the focus is on developing a network and infrastructure where partners can connect, train and support the people. Their ambition is to reach both older employees and boost their employability and people with a disability. The partners will meet in the upcoming days to discuss a timeline and the possible date for the inauguration of the hub.