Van Meirvenne: 'Investing in training keeps organisations vital'

Interview, People
Te gast13 Jan 2024 om 14:10

Volwassen studenten volgen opleiding via Portilog.

In the anniversary edition of our magazine, we gave companies in the maritime and logistics sector a chance to put themselves in the spotlight. Director of Portilog Yves Van Meirvenne explains the importance of training for a decisive organisation.

In the current labour market and economic context, organisations face the challenge of staying agile and attracting top talent. Learning & Development (L&D), or education and training, is invaluable here. It not only forms a shield against knowledge loss, but also plays a central role in organisational success, underlines Yves Van Meirvenne, director of Portilog. “Companies that invest in the professional and personal growth of their employees maintain an edge and keep teams motivated. In this respect, lifelong learning acts as oxygen for organisations; it keeps them vital and ready for the future,” says Yves Van Meirvenne.Fostering a learning culture within organisations is a shared responsibility. HR professionals need to create training plans that align organisational goals and employee expectations. At the same time, employees play a crucial role in their own growth.

Strategic partner

With more than 70 years of experience as a training centre for the port and logistics sector, Portilog is a strategic partner par excellence. Yves clarifies, “For more than 70 years, we have been fully committed to the sector, building long-term relationships with our customers. Our L&D consultants play a crucial role in this. They listen to the customer’s needs and look for sector-specific training courses or skills training that matches them. In cooperation with trade associations, teachers and other experts, our training coordinators develop high-quality programmes based on the latest trends and technologies in the port and logistics sector.

What else sets Portilog apart is the continuous effort to adapt training courses to changing needs and goals of their customers. This allows their employees to stay at the forefront of their field and have the most relevant knowledge and skills.

Yves gives a recent example: “A major change currently taking place in the port and logistics sector is the implementation of the EU’s multi-annual strategic plan MASP-C, aimed at developing electronic customs systems across Europe. In line with this initiative, we are organising information sessions together with experts from Customs and developing training so that port users can seamlessly integrate the changes into their daily practices.”

In short, in a constantly evolving world, learning and development is crucial to keep businesses successful and competitive.