From energy to AI: SPIE gets companies ready for tomorrow
How do technological innovations find their way into daily practice within companies? Through people. SPIE has its own Academy to train employees for the future.
Published on October 9, 2024
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The transition to sustainable energy and heat in industry, a network of fast chargers for electric cars, and a safe online environment for companies: As a technical service provider, SPIE works daily to make our society more sustainable and digital. SPIE's white cars and buses often pass by. But what exactly does the company do? "We are a multitechnical service provider and focus on everything through which electricity, air, or data passes," states Ilko Wiersma, marketing manager at SPIE.
The company does not develop its products but helps other organizations set up and support their processes to ensure greater efficiency and sustainability. It focuses on process innovations. To this end, SPIE works in five divisions: Smart City & Energies, Building Solutions, Industry Services, City Networks & Grids, and ICS (ICT and security).
Knowledge is key
What is most important to the company? The people. "Our technicians are our foundation. They are on the road every day to support our clients as best they can, in whatever way they can," he continues. SPIE's employees must have the usually up-to-date professional knowledge to do this. That's why SPIE has set up its own Academy. "Developments go fast. That also means that the work field and the needs of personnel are always changing," states René Gieben, manager of SPIE Academy Techniek.
SPIE employees can take internal and external courses and training through the Academy. "This is how we ensure that we can continue to provide our clients with good technical support," says Gieben. He is responsible for the technical interpretation of the Academy. Wiersma adds: "Through the Academy, colleagues can also share knowledge with each other. Technicians are often on-site at a customer, so it is very valuable to meet regularly for a master class, for example. This way, colleagues can discuss the latest developments with each other and learn from each other. In this, SPIE has a unique dynamic; people are often on location but can always fall back on each other and the Academy."
Training moves with the times
The Academy itself is also constantly changing as technology continues to improve. Gieben: "Some courses we take internally with our own experts, and in other cases, we work with external partners to keep improving." One of the cooperation partners is Mikrocentrum. "Last year, we set up a course for with Karin Mous of Mikrocentrum. Digitization - data collection, analysis, and interpretation - plays an increasingly important role in our field. The program was badly needed," he explains. "The maintenance service contracts with our customers are being expanded. In addition, we want to maintain and transfer craftsmanship to a new generation. With this program, we can offer engineers a challenging development path and attract new talent."
"Based on the input, we invite an expert from SPIE to give a master class. We often end up with themes that are very close to innovation. Think, for example, of improving climate control in buildings with data or reusing materials for a circular process. New technologies such as AI also come up. People can translate the knowledge they have gained into their function. That often yields great insights, for example, about the role of human employees now that AI can do more and more."
Meanwhile, a second course has begun within SPIE in collaboration with Elroy Leijten, Program Manager for Training at Mikrocentrum. "Versatility and the involvement of multiple instructors to make the apprenticeship successful for them—that's what I love about this track. As Program Manager at Mikrocentrum, I enjoy contributing to the development and growth of SPIE employees." 5,000 training courses have already been requested through SPIE.
Trends in technological development
How do you make sure you stay ahead in technology? "We keep a close eye on the trends in the market," Wiersma states. SPIE's innovation department spots trends early on. "Then we validate the trends and see how to implement them. If the technological operation is proven, we enter the sales phase; that way, it can eventually be used in our clients' processes." To this end, SPIE works with various knowledge institutions and companies, from large companies like Siemens to fledgling startups. "We work with everyone who can make a technical contribution to a part of a complete process," Wiersma explains.
Together with startups
For example, SPIE now has an entire package around cybersecurity that is ready to be implemented by companies. "We started doing that years ago, and we can always build on that now." However, there are also development projects, such as those related to energy transition. In some industrial processes, it isn't easy to go off the gas. For example, the production of roof tiles requires very high temperatures. These cannot be achieved with electrical systems. That is why SPIE is currently working with the Eindhoven startup RIFT. This company has devised a system to generate heat by burning iron powder. After combustion, the rust powder can also be converted back into iron powder, making it a process that can continue continuously. "We are now - together with some of our customers - looking at how we can put this into concrete form," he says.
The cooperation between RIFT, SPIE, and its clients is essential. "Industrial processes must not come to a standstill, which makes implementing new technology difficult. RIFT has technical knowledge about iron powder, and we know industrial processes. Thus, together, we ensure the best result for the customer." For the implementation of such innovations, the SPIE Academy is crucial. Wiersma: "When we have developed something new that will come to fruition, we must also train our people correctly. For that, the right courses are then developed within the SPIE Academy."
Lifelong development
The training within the SPIE Academy is more than just technical. Employees can also work on their personal development through training courses on leadership, for example. With the Academy, SPIE gives employees room to develop throughout their lives. It is also attractive for attracting new staff. Gieben: "The trainings and courses within the Academy are interesting for everyone, from experienced colleagues to newcomers. The technological experience keeps us all learning."