Nearly Two Decades of Partnership Between VTI Brugge and IGW!
16 January, 2025
For nearly two decades, we've been offering students at VTI Brugge hands-on workplace learning experiences at our IGW Oostkamp plant. This long-lasting partnership has grown into a robust program that bridges the gap between education and the professional field.
A deep rooted friendship
IGW was founded by Alfons Watteeuw, only at the bitter young age of 19. The choice for metalworking and specifically gears was influenced by his father, Henri Watteeuw. Henri was a teacher at VTI Brugge for 42 years, authored 14 technical books. Alfons picked up this deep-rooted passion, laying the foundation for the collaboration between IGW and VTI Brugge over 75 years ago!
Workplace learning at IGW
At the IGW plant, students participate in six sessions where they receive a theoretical basis from teacher H. Vankerschaver. Even more interesting for them is the opportunity to apply that knowledge on our shop floor. The curriculum offers a wide range of topics: from business organization to the technical processes that are central to an industrial production company. This year, the focus will once again be on gears, a crucial part of IGW's expertise. The students will learn not only how to make these mechanical components, but also what processes to apply in order to improve their durability. In addition to theoretical insights, they conduct hands-on experiments in the laboratory. This gives them the opportunity to assess production parts for quality. The focus is on size and shape requirements as well as mechanical properties.
Teacher H. Vankerschaver emphasizes the importance of this collaboration: "Workplace learning is a unique opportunity for our students to bridge the gap between school and the professional field. They learn how to apply the theory in practice, which gives them a valuable head start on the job market." VTI Brugge expresses its gratitude to IGW Oostkamp and all employees who contribute to this project. "This collaboration is invaluable to our school and our students. We look forward to continuing this tradition and building the future of technical craftsmanship together," said a representative of VTI Brugge.
Shaping the future of the industry
Many former students now work at IGW, highlighting the long-term benefits of this collaboration. According to Mr. Vankerschaver, the success of this program is thanks to the dedication and commitment of the IGW team, who invest significant time and energy into making it a success. He added: “The students find it fascinating to step outside the classroom and see how a company operates. They are open to the experience and appreciate the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. This exposure not only sparks their interest but also motivates them to pursue further studies, with some aiming to become engineers.”
We're beyond excited to host these sessions for the motivated students at VTI Brugge. Their enthusiasm and drive are what will shape the future of our industry, and we are honored to support their journey.