The knowledge network for the concrete (construction) industry

For several decades, Concrete Association has been the platform for professionals and organizations active in the concrete industry. Betonvereniging ensures that its members share knowledge, gain knowledge and make knowledge. This has a practical approach and focuses on the knowledge members need in their daily professional practice.

With a professional team, the association manages to do a lot of work on education and connection. It organizes:

- training and courses from vmbo to university level. Activities are primarily tailored to four application areas, from design to repair.
- conferences, workshops and webinars for knowledge transfer and industry networking connection. The knowledge offered is a welcome addition to the prior education and practical experience of the (future) trainees. 

It also publishes technical publications and supports affiliated sister organizations. With a membership base of some 700 corporate members, 500 personal members and 150 student members, Concrete Association reaches more than 10,000 stakeholders in the concrete (construction) industry with its communications.

Education from inception to specialization

With over 95 years of experience, Concrete Association is the trusted knowledge partner for technical training and courses for the concrete (construction) industry. Passionate teachers with extensive practical experience teach the courses to small groups of students. The courses, apprenticeships and training programs consist, in particular, of an offer, which is a deepening of the regular, technical education in the mbo, hbo and wo. Professionals can gain more knowledge about the application of the material concrete than they were given in their previous education. Depending on their interests, professionals choose a specialization in one of the four knowledge domains:

- Cement & Concrete Technology
- Design & Construction
- Work Preparation & Execution
- Maintenance & Repair

For people who do not have a technical background, Concrete Association offers several courses and apprenticeships that do not require specific prior education. Thus, anyone can enter the wonderful world of concrete!

The more than 170 affiliated teachers come from the field and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classes. Chantal Mülders, Education & Innovation Program Manager at Concrete Association, is involved daily with the courses and supervising the lecturers. "Because professionals from the field teach our courses, the topics and themes stay current," she says. "They know better than anyone else what is going on in the industry. As the Concrete Association, we support the teachers in their didactic development, for example through workshops on interaction in the lesson or testing, so that the form of the lessons also meets the needs of the target group. This combination makes it a very pleasant cooperation in which teaching forms and topicality are continuously guaranteed in our courses.''

Concrete Academy: Where and when you want to learn!

In addition to paying attention to current topics in the courses and skills of the teachers, we are also working hard on forms of education. Mülders: "We are paying special attention to further developing our courses in a blended form: physical meetings mixed with online support through a learning environment. For this we use our Concrete Academy, where participants can not only find their materials, but also submit assignments, test their knowledge with online tests or engage in conversation with each other via a social wall. In this way, there is a platform for participants to engage with the material outside of class as well. Our goal is that by 2025 all of our courses will have such a blended component. In addition, we already have two courses that can be taken entirely online, where participants go through the material independently, in their own time and at their own pace. Entry into these courses is therefore possible at any time! Those who prefer to take a physical course are not missing out either. The locations are spread across the country and the courses take place mainly in the afternoons and evenings, fitting into a working life. We offer both longer training and short courses. Something for everyone!''

Networking and gaining knowledge

In addition to access to the latest know-how and developments in a very broad field, Betonvereniging also offers with its events a platform to its members in terms of networking opportunities for the entire Dutch concrete industry. To this end, various contemporary events are organized where professionals can network with each other and share and gain knowledge. Various event concepts are organized throughout the year by the association, each event having its own target group and form. Not only professionals, but also students are involved. The annual Concrete Event (formerly Concrete Day) is and remains the 'pièce the résistance'. At this event everything comes together, both in terms of knowledge and meetings.