With the support of the Flemish government, parts specialist TVH organised its first edition of TVH Universalis Technicalis: a knock-out race based on the successful TV format 'Homo Universalis', but with a focus on engineering. About 730 students from 13 TSO or BSO schools registered for this technical game. On 15 May, the grand final took place at TVH headquarters The Hub in Waregem, under the guidance of weather forecaster Jacotte Brokken.
The central question at TVH Technicalis Universalis: who proves themselves as a technical all-rounder? The students first competed against each other in an online preliminary round with logical reasoning tests. The result: 32 finalists, with representatives from each participating school.
FINALS WITH JACOTTE BROKKEN
The best technical talents fought an intense battle during the finals on 15 May. Koen Mathys (Talent Development Manager): "The students competed for the title and the main prize: a brand-new iPhone. Finalists were challenged through practical tests, carefully designed to test their technical skills and problem-solving ability."
"With weather forecaster Jacotte Brokken as special guest and facilitator, everything came together in a smooth and charming event. And many thanks to Rik Hostyn, coordinator at the Flemish STEM Olympiad, for designing all the tests." Also present were the founders of TVH, the Thermote family, to encourage the finalists. The proud winner was Robbe Ghysel from VTI Deinze.
TVH AND ENGINEERING: A GOLDEN COMBINATION
TVH often puts its weight behind technology-oriented initiatives (e.g. the Techniekacademie, the Smart Electronics micro-course, the Flemish STEM Olympiad and other STEM initiatives). Koen Mathys: "At TVH, people with technical skills are essential. Moreover, there is a scarcity on the labour market for those profiles. With initiatives like this, we want to give technical orientations more attention and fuel a passion for engineering from a young age."
Several hundred technical profiles are currently working at TVH. "Think of Manufacturers, Technical Advisors/Purchasers, Electronic Technicians ... But TVH continues to grow, and we're always looking for new talent. People with knowledge of electronics, mechanics and so on. But especially enthusiastic people. Because, thanks to our internal training courses, there are many opportunities. We currently have 30 technical vacancies. So feel free to knock on our door."
ALSO FOR EMPLOYEES
Parallel to the event for students, TVH employees also got the chance to participate in their own TVH Universalis Technicalis race. Out of 80 participants, 30 TVH colleagues advanced to the final, which also took place on 15 May, after the student finals. The winner went home with a camera drone.