Havenexperience De Terminal: cool
Port Experience The Terminal, a new attraction in the offerings of Zeehavendagen Amsterdam 2023, experienced a successful first edition. Nearly five hundred young people visited the specially created location in the heart of the port. Thanks to the Nautical Coordination Center of Port of Amsterdam, De Koperen Ploeg, customs and police on water, who showed how things work in practice. The Terminal for Young People will return in 2024, but for two (working) days.
This was the place where schoolchildren, students and job seekers were interactively introduced to port employers and training programs in the region. In addition, there were fun activities for young and old. Sailing with Customs or De Koperen Ploeg, escaping from an escaperoom, cycling for a smoothie or a demo with a reach stacker of Forkliftcenter. Even the little ones were thought of. For example, there was a water tank from Spliethoff where children could play with boats.
Working at the port
Pupils and students who visited the port under the guise of "career orientation and guidance (LOB)" immediately started talking to the employers present. Whether young people think of the port when they make future career plans remains to be seen. Before visiting The Terminal, they had no idea that the port is so large and diverse. They do think about boats, but not necessarily technical or even -logistics professions. And that's a missed opportunity the employers in the port think. Working in the port is fun! You earn good money and you find nice people.
Sexy image
It is well known to employers that the port does not have a sexy image. But that can be changed, we all think. Zeehavendagen Amsterdam is a great initiative that puts the port on the map as an employer. And that a pop-up Port Experience works is evident from the positive reactions the organization has received. The combination of employer stands with plenty of hands-on activities appears to be a successful formula. Reactions to the subsequent excursions to a company in the port are also positive. After all, feeling, smelling, tasting and seeing the port does more for you than collecting leaflets at a trade fair!