Made@MICS | Mikrocentrum: “We are making lifelong learning and meeting the standard: LLO²”

Mikrocentrum has been a driving force behind the Dutch high-tech and manufacturing industry for more than 57 years. From its locations in Veldhoven, Utrecht, Veenendaal, Dordrecht and now Schiedam, the organisation connects businesses, education and government through training programmes, events and a strong technological network. In this Made@MICS feature, Jeroen Gijsberts and Edwin de Zeeuw explain why Mikrocentrum deliberately chose MICS, how their vision of LLO² – Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Meeting – aligns perfectly with our campus, and which opportunities they see for the region and for the companies at MICS.

A connecting platform for the High-Tech Manufacturing Industry

Since last year, the ONS building at MICS has been home to an organisation uniquely skilled at connecting the technical sector: Mikrocentrum. Mikrocentrum provides training programmes at multiple locations in the Netherlands and works closely with companies where cutting-edge innovation takes place.

“We offer training courses, events and networking activities that connect companies, education and government,” says Jeroen Gijsberts, Business Developer at Mikrocentrum. “With 6,000 course participants a year and more than 20,000 visitors to our events, Mikrocentrum truly is a connecting knowledge platform for the high-tech manufacturing industry.”

Mikrocentrum is an independent foundation serving the Dutch high-tech and manufacturing sector. It focuses on industries such as high-tech machine building and supply chains, semicon, mobility, energy transition and life sciences & health. Its fields of expertise include product development, manufacturing technology, materials, precision engineering, mechatronics and digitalisation/automation (Smart Industry). In addition, the organisation strengthens professionals through training in power skills, quality/safety/improvement and measurement and calculation skills.

From Brainport to South Holland: a logical step

Although Mikrocentrum is rooted in the Brainport region and recently opened a location in Dordrecht, the move to Schiedam was not a coincidence. The organisation first connected with MICS during the ZIE trade fair in 2022, which Mikrocentrum has since co-organised annually with Hi Delta. From there, things progressed quickly. “We immediately saw how valuable a physical ecosystem could be here,” says Edwin de Zeeuw, General Director of Mikrocentrum. “And South Holland has a huge concentration of manufacturing companies. So instead of having them travel to Veldhoven, we decided to come to them.”

Choosing MICS felt like a natural fit: a central location, strong technical industry and an evolving campus with a clear vision. “The ONS building ticked all the boxes: accessibility, shared spaces, energy, cross-overs with other companies,” Jeroen adds. “There is plenty of potential here to grow and strengthen the manufacturing industry.”

Practice-oriented training delivered by people from the field

Mikrocentrum’s strength lies in its practical training courses, taught by experts who are actively working in the field. “Our instructors are not full-time teachers,” Edwin explains. “They are experienced engineers, specialists and professionals who want to pass on their knowledge. That ensures our content always reflects real-world developments.”

Training programmes range from one-day workshops to multi-week cycles. Think of Practical 3D Printing or Electronics for Non-Electrical Engineers. Companies bring in their own cases, which makes all the difference: “We always start with the question: what do you want to solve? That practical challenge becomes the thread running through the programme.”

LLO²: Lifelong learning and lifelong meeting

Edwin introduces the term LLO²: lifelong learning squared. He explains: “At Mikrocentrum, we believe in learning, but equally in meeting. A training course, lecture or event is more than knowledge transfer. It is a place where students, professionals and entrepreneurs come together. You cannot replace that physical interaction. That is why we add ‘meeting’ to lifelong learning – LLO becomes LLO².”

This principle is also central to MICS. The campus is designed around interaction, with shared spaces, open doors between companies and a culture where knowledge-sharing happens naturally. “It’s precisely this combination of community, practice and proximity that accelerates innovation and makes collaboration easier,” Edwin says.

MICS as a testing ground for the future

Mikrocentrum sees MICS as a living lab — a space to test, explore and develop new programmes. “Here, we can experiment with new forms of learning and new collaborations,” Edwin explains. “Together with partners such as Hi Delta, Metaalunie, the Expertise Centre for Precision Technology (ECP) and all companies on campus, we can shape the role Mikrocentrum will play in a fully developed campus. We are careful not to compete with other training providers; Mikrocentrum is complementary.”

This has already led to surprising crossovers: maritime companies suddenly finding their way to Mikrocentrum, or participants from the south of the Netherlands travelling to Schiedam because a course was scheduled here earlier. “We’ve only been here a year, but the energy is incredible. Companies find us even before our campaigns begin,” Jeroen notes.

An invitation to the region

Finally, Mikrocentrum extends an invitation to the region. “We are only at the beginning of our training offer here, but MICS provides us — and the entire manufacturing industry in South Holland — with a unique place to meet, learn and grow together. Do you work in the high-tech or manufacturing sector and want to invest in Lifelong Learning and Meeting? Then do visit Mikrocentrum at MICS. We would be pleased to show you what is possible, what we can tailor for your organisation and how we can make a difference together.”

Want to know more about Mikrocentrum? Visit their website.