A guaranteed job, a fully paid senior secondary vocational (mbo) study programme with work placement allowance and opportunities to progress to a dual higher professional (hbo) education programme, cost free. These are just some of the benefits for students who choose the special 'Mechanic Maintenance' programme at Nova College.

The competence-based four-year training is the initiative of six companies working together in the Stichting M-Technology foundation. The aim of the foundation is to increase the supply of highly qualified mechanical engineers at mbo-4 level. M-Technology also wants to improve the image of engineering as a profession. The companies participating in the foundation are Afval Energie Bedrijf Amsterdam, BAM Techniek, GTI Noordwest B.V., HVC, Loders Croklaan B.V. and Nuon Power Generation BV.

The M-Technology programme will start in August 2008 with one group of twenty students. During the first two years of the programme, students will become familiar with the many aspects of professional practice at three participating companies. In the third year, students choose either Mechanical Installations or Constructions and Machines. Graduates will subsequently be employed by one of these six leading engineering companies.

By launching this special initiative, Stichting M-Technology is responding to the expected shortage of middle to highly qualified technical personnel. Young people still have an insufficiently positive view of working in the engineering profession, yet the demand for engineers remains high. This initiative will help young people to experience the career possibilities available within the technology sector and give them the opportunity to work with the latest technological developments. By providing an interesting study programme with the ROC, the foundation wants to motivate young people for a career in mechanical engineering and also hopes to produce a higher number of mbo graduates with a qualification in engineering. The partnership and agreement with Nova College is currently valid for five years with an option to extend the venture.

Together with the companies Axima, Elyo, ENDEL, INEO, Tractebel Engineering and Fabricom GTI, GTI is part of SUEZ Energy Services.

As the European leader in multitechnical services, SUEZ Energy Services offers global solutions to its customers in the industry, the infrastructure and the tertiary sectors, from the design, realisation and maintenance of installations to energy and utilities management and long-term multitechnical management.

SUEZ Energy Services employs 66,000 people and achieved revenues of 10.7 billion euro in 2006. SUEZ Energy Services is one of the four business lines of the quoted international industrial group SUEZ.

PRESS CONTACT:
GTI NV
Ingrid Clauwaert, Manager Public Relations
Kosterijland 50, 3981 AJ Bunnik; postbus 210, 3980 CE Bunnik
Telefoon: 030 656 94 59; fax: 030 656 94 15
email: ingrid.clauwaert@gti-group.com
Internet: www.gti-group.com