Manager of the Technical Vocational School

What you will be doing

You face the unique challenge of building a new department and developing the Vocational School into the central learning and development hub for all technical professionals within GVB. The reason is clear: the demand for skilled technical staff is growing, and with it the need to further professionalize their development and guidance. You will determine the training strategy, translate it into concrete plans, and ensure that training programs, certifications, and learning pathways are designed to be future-proof and professional. You will lead a team of approximately ten colleagues focused on policy, planning, and training. In addition, you will build strong partnerships with educational institutions, technical training agencies, and other public transit partners to strengthen recruitment, vocational training programs, and knowledge sharing. At the same time, you will professionalize internal training processes and introduce new learning initiatives that contribute to the annual Technical Plan.

This is a role with a tangible social impact, plenty of freedom, and the opportunity to build something that truly matters. What you accomplish will determine how well our technicians are trained—and, as a result, how smoothly, safely, and reliably Amsterdam’s public transit system continues to operate every day for hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Here's what to bring

As a visionary L&D or training manager, you inspire teams to take action and bring learning and expertise together. You feel at home at every level of the organization and know how to provide direction and energy to the Technical School, so that technicians can grow and Amsterdam’s public transportation system becomes stronger.

Here's how you can make a difference:

• You provide direction and energy to teams: You are able to guide employees and managers in their development, ensuring that learning and professionalism take center stage. This means you communicate clearly about goals, decisions, and priorities, and know how to motivate others to contribute to an inspiring vocational school.
• You combine vision with operational drive: You can think strategically about the organization’s future while ensuring that plans remain concrete and actionable. For example: you develop a training program that meets the current needs of technicians and aligns with the goals of Amsterdam’s public transportation system.
• You have expertise in learning and development within a technical environment: You understand how technical professionals learn and which training methods are most effective, from subject-specific training to blended learning. This enables you to design a learning program that truly contributes to professional growth and expertise.
• You have leadership experience in an L&D or educational setting: You have experience managing teams, coaching employees, and fostering a culture of learning. For example: you develop a plan for your department, outlining the products and services you will use to enhance employees’ knowledge and skills.
• You have a solid understanding of organizational processes and relevant laws and regulations: You understand how HR policy, training development, and technical laws and regulations intersect within a large organization. This enables you to align training initiatives with strategic goals and ensure compliance.

You can count on that

You take good care of our travelers, so we’ll take good care of you. Here’s what we offer you:

• A salary ranging from a minimum of €5,351 to a maximum of €7,239 gross per month based on a 36-hour workweek (pay scale 12);
• Free, unlimited travel on GVB public transportation;
• Option to work remotely with a work-from-home allowance;
• A 13th month’s salary, 8% vacation pay, 1.5% long-term employability allowance, plus a well-structured pension plan;
• A health insurance subsidy of €84.91 per month;
• An average of 21 days of paid time off per year, depending on your age, with the option to purchase additional vacation days;
• A variety of training and career advancement opportunities.

Your team

You will be building a new team of about ten colleagues, some of whom are already experienced GVB professionals in the areas of educational planning, policy, and training. You will assemble the rest of the team yourself, allowing you to truly build a department that fits—both in terms of content and culture. Together, you will create a dynamic vocational school built on the foundations of learning, collaboration, quality, and craftsmanship.

Since the team is still in its early stages, you’ll be the one shaping its culture: open, safe, professional, and with room for fun. You’ll work in a hybrid model, but you’ll be visible and present at various GVB locations to stay connected with both your team and the technical practice. You’ll report to the Director of Technology, in an organization where the atmosphere is informal, accessible, and strongly focused on growing together.