Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hasselt’s Hogeschool PXL, Syntra PXL, and 4 CVOs formed a Limburg education alliance, supported by Minister Zuhal Demir, to simplify learning and address 55,000 job vacancies in Flanders
As VRT news reported, the partnership between Hasselt’s Hogeschool PXL and Syntra PXL has expanded into a wider educational alliance, welcoming CVO Cursa, CVO De Verdieping, PCVO Limburg, and PCVO Moderne Talen. This collaboration seeks to establish a unified and inclusive “learning family.”
They mentioned that this family is designed to support a wide range of learners, from young students beginning their educational journey to adults seeking a fresh start or a career change. According to Ben Lambrechts, the general director of Hasselt’s Hogeschool PXL, the primary goal is to build a well-coordinated educational network. In this network, each partner will leverage its strengths.
This approach not only minimises overlap between institutions but also ensures a distribution of educational resources across the Limburg region. He mentioned that it’s a cooperative model aimed at simplifying the often complex and fragmented educational landscape.
“Thanks to this alliance, we create one learning family in which everyone can find their place”
Ben Lambrechts (PXL Alliance Chairman)
How will Limburg’s learning alliance help fill 55K jobs?
The alliance plans to share resources and create one main entry point for all students. Instead of each school having its own website and buildings, there will be a shared online platform. Officials mentioned that this platform will let people easily find all the courses in the area, from short classes to university programs.
With Limburg’s potential for new ideas in education and the need for people to keep learning, the partnership wants to build a simple, modern system. This system will help people improve their skills and help schools work together more effectively.
Education Minister Zuhal Demir supported the Limburg education and training alliance’s signing. She stressed that everyone should get a good education to use their talents. With over 55,000 job openings in Flanders, she wants to solve the worker shortage with better training.
Demir said everyone has a talent. By schools working together, they can offer better courses, avoid doing the same things, and match the needs of the job market. She mentioned that this will help more people, including those changing careers, get the skills they need for jobs.
Demir praised Limburg for creating a united learning system. The alliance includes schools like Hogeschool PXL and others, forming one network for everyone. She mentioned that the goal is to make education easier, more flexible, and better suited to job needs, allowing for easier transitions between different types of education.
Demir sees this as a model for Flanders, helping with job market issues. She said this is important for Limburg’s economy and shows how working together can improve jobs and education in Flanders.
