From student to professional: Unilin and dual learning

Learning on the shop floor is a key focus for Unilin. This commitment doesn’t end with the recruitment of new staff but also extends to dual learning. Since 2018, when dual learning was introduced as an educational model, Unilin has been collaborating with Sint-Paulus school, campus VTI Waregem. As a pioneer in Flanders, we have since guided dozens of students. Many completed their programme successfully and even transitioned to permanent employment within Unilin.

In a nutshell:

• Since 2018, students from the 7th year vocational track (formerly vocational secondary education (BSO)) at campus VTI (Belgium) have the option of enrolling in a dual learning programme at Unilin.
• Dual learning means two days of school and three days of learning on the shop floor.
• Students are introduced to the reality of the workplace and acquire new knowledge, skills, and craftsmanship. In addition to honing professional skills, they also grow on a personal level.

What makes dual learning valuable for Unilin?

Bart Den Tijn, dual learning coordinator at Unilin: "The most important aspect for us is not to train potential employees but assuming our societal role. We give youngsters the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills they can’t learn in school. This puts them in a privileged position: students are assigned a mentor who coaches them individually. This learning model enables them to hone their skills at an accelerated rate."

How is the programme within Unilin organised?

Bart: "The students have a 38-hour week consisting of two days of class and three days here with us. They usually enrol in a programme at two different workplaces: one from September through January and the second from February through June. This provides them with a generous range of practical experience. They also have an employment contract and receive financial compensation. We expect them to behave professionally: arrive on time, honour commitments, and show respect for colleagues."

"Students benefit from a privileged position: they are assigned a mentor who coaches them individually."

What is the impact of dual learning on students?

Bart: "Dual learning generates impressive personal growth. Between September and June, they gradually transform from playful teenagers into mature, responsible young adults. That’s not only nice to see for us but for their teachers as well. At Unilin, they learn to act quickly, take responsibility, and work independently."

Does dual learning also act as a recruitment channel?

Bart: "While that is not our primary goal, it does happen. Around one in four students are eventually hired, as opposed to one in forty candidates in a classic recruitment procedure. We get to know them really well during the programme, making it easier to recommend them to other divisions."

From VTI Waregem’s perspective

Geert Demeyere, dual learning coordinator at campus VTI: "Our school has been actively involved in dual learning since 2018, and every year, an increasing number of students enrols in the programme. Such a programme is a wonderful asset, especially for our students in the 7th year of vocational training. As a large corporation, Unilin has a great deal of know-how, and they also invest in the continued training of their workforce."

Director Joachim Archie adds: "Dual learning is a unique opportunity for our students to hone their technical skills in practice in a way that no school can offer. By collaborating with companies such as Unilin, our students are well-trained and ready for the job market when they graduate. What’s more, the impact on their personal development can’t be underestimated. They become more self-reliant, more confident, and they develop a professional attitude. For us as a school, this is our primary goal."

Another advantage for the school is the close connection with the realities of the business world. “The task of an educational institution is not to deliver ready-made employees but to prepare young adults for their role in society. At the same time, a technical school like ours doesn’t work in a vacuum: if we are to stay relevant as a school and innovate, we have to keep abreast of what is happening in the business world. Through our close connections via dual learning, we have a perfect understanding of what is happening in the workplace.”

Dual learning remains a win-win for both the students and the companies involved. The close collaboration between education and industry creates the best opportunities for young people to develop into skilled professionals.

Want to know more about training programmes and careers at Unilin? Then be sure to also discover The Dive