Talent Development

Finding the right talent can often feel like searching for hidden treasures, a task that requires time, patience, and a keen eye for potential. There are numerous factors to consider, especially if you're a foreign company venturing into a new market. In times like this, collaboration is often the key to a better outcome. The Food Academy Nijkerk (FAN) is here to help by attracting young talent and training your future staff!

The FAN emerged from the collaboration of 25 enthusiastic companies from Nijkerk and its surrounding areas. Together, they offer practical training through hands-on experience, aiming to entice ambitious youth with careers and bridge the gap between education and working in the food industry.

Attract, train and retain young talent

The birth of FAN was driven by a shared realisation among companies, educational institutions, and the government, that despite growing employment opportunities, these organisations faced a shortage of skilled workers. Traditional education systems in the Netherlands, such as VMBO (pre-vocational secondary education) and MBO (secondary vocational education), were not adequately preparing students for the diverse and exciting careers available in the food industry. The FAN was founded to address this gap, equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in real-world environments. The training programs at FAN are put together with the help of educational partners like Aeres Training Centre International and Barneveldse Techniek Opleiding, ensuring high standards and industry relevance. Programs and investment opportunities are available for food production, logistics and capacity building. Jurgen van Krevel, CEO of Bieze Food Group and board member of the FAN, emphasized the urgency and potential of FAN. “With FAN, situated in the Dutch epicentre for food development, we’ve struck gold! Let’s join our forces to make the most out of this, together.”, highlighting the region's unique position and the pressing need for a dedicated training centre and clubhouse. As FAN continues to evolve, it plans to expand its training programs to meet the dynamic needs of the food industry, including the growing emphasis on sustainability. Joining or investing in the Food Academy Nijkerk supports groundbreaking innovation and sustainable practices that are transforming the food production industry, through educating and training people on the latest developments.