TVH's Waregem headquarters

The TVH Group held two "open company days" for management staff and technical school and college teachers last month after numerous requests for visits during the schools' teacher training days.

After TVH employees showed the visitors the group's operations at Waregem, they discussed collaboration opportunities to tackle the shortage of skilled technicians.

Gerd Bellemens, TVH personnel manager, says despite TVH's efforts, there remain "insufficient technically schooled" candidates to fill the group's vacancies.

"Motivation and willingness to work are decisive for us. The company always provides sound training for new staff."

TVH and the technical secondary schools and colleges from East and West Flanders discussed co-operative efforts that included apprenticeships, company visits for students and teachers, specialised training for teachers, recruitment fairs in schools and the presence of a TVH stand on school open days.

TVH says it is "always open to new co-operation projects".