Two members of the Supervisory Board

With the expiration of the second term of two members, two vacancies have arisen on the Board of Trustees of this prestigious and forward-thinking independent vocational school.

A view of the HMC

Craftsmanship remains relevant and indispensable in today’s era of change. Both change and the need for skilled craftsmanship are timeless. Training young people for future-proof jobs and as entrepreneurs through high-quality vocational education: that is what the HMC stands for. And with great success!

From the 2022 Annual Report: “In May 2022, the major Salone del Mobile will return to Milan. There, our new alumni will shine with their stunning graduation projects in the palazzo alongside Dutch designers and entrepreneurs. And in October, students will do the same on a smaller scale during ‘Masterly The Hague’. In March 2022, an HMC student will become the Dutch champion in Furniture Making. And in 2022, HMC will once again participate extensively in new vocational competitions in the MBO sector. No fewer than 55 students will compete in the preliminary rounds for Sales Specialist, Interior Consultant, and Furniture Maker in October 2022. The winners of the preliminary rounds will form the new Team HMC 2022–2023. And during the expos in Rotterdam and Amsterdam in July 2022, visitors are also impressed by the high level of skill.”

Two vacancies on the HMC Board of Trustees

The HMC is looking for two new members who:

• An understanding of and vision for entrepreneurship, as well as for the current and future needs of the industries served by the HMC. Because “At school, you learn how to do things; in practice, you learn how things really work.”
• They want to leverage their extensive, relevant professional network to benefit the students and the HMC.
• Possess a level of thinking and performance equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, have an understanding of business operations and continuity objectives, and be able to think and act strategically.
• Be able to collaborate effectively as part of a team and act with transparency and integrity.
• To embody and uphold the HMC’s core values—namely, respect, trust, collaboration,
  , curiosity, and a passion for the profession—in both word and deed.
• Have enough time to fulfill their role.
• One or both members will serve on the finance committee.
  The relationship with industry sectors and stakeholders enhances the role of the supervisory body; they do not act as representatives on behalf of the industry sector or stakeholder.
  Familiarity with developments in the education sector is considered an asset.

Sectors and stakeholders

The HMC offers a wide range of training programs across eight different sectors. The largest programs are those for the furniture industry (50% of students), followed by the home/interior design sector (40%). The remaining 10% are enrolled in programs in other sectors, with Carpentry, Furniture Upholstery, and Home Upholstery among the traditional sectors. Approximately 30% of graduates go on to pursue higher education at a university of applied sciences.

To maintain strong ties with these industries, they have been grouped into three sectors: Industrial (furniture industry, industrial wood construction), Retail (home furnishings, upholstery), and Creative (accessories, piano technology). The HMC Supervisory Board consists of members from each of these sectors, ensuring representation from every sector without requiring representatives from all branches to serve on the Board.

The organization

The HMC is an independent vocational school founded in 1929. The school emphasizes creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship at the highest level, offering programs in Interior Design & Home Living, Furniture & Woodworking, and Design & Fashion Accessories. The school is known for its personalized attention, commitment, and industry focus. Traditional craftsmanship is combined with the latest trends and developments, ensuring that students are trained to be innovative and entrepreneurial. The HMC has approximately 4,000 students and campuses in Rotterdam and Amsterdam and is known for its personal and safe atmosphere.

The HMC is one of eleven unique independent vocational schools in the Netherlands that distinguish themselves through their focus on craftsmanship, traditional trades, and creativity. This sets the HMC apart from the larger ROCs (Regional Training Centers). Experienced instructors pass on their professional expertise to new generations. The school has a long history and has weathered mergers in vocational education, demonstrating that independent vocational schools play a vital role in their sector. Thanks to strong ties with industry, graduates have excellent job prospects. The HMC offers specialized programs in a small-scale, safe environment, which contributes to the school’s growth and success.

Rapid developments in technology and sustainability pose a challenge for the HMC and the professions associated with it. Although the exact nature of these changes remains unclear, traditional craftsmanship is expected to remain a cornerstone. HMC has invested in innovations in learning materials and ICT applications, but the challenge now is to implement these changes systematically. This requires flexibility and an entrepreneurial approach from the entire organization to adapt the programs to rapidly evolving trends in technology, digitization, and sustainability.

HMC ’s missionis to prioritize talent development and to educate students to become passionate, creative, and entrepreneurial professionals for their own futures and those of their industries. Modern citizenship and the ability to play a role in solving societal challenges are part of the curriculum. HMC’s vision is to serve as a connecting factor between students, alumni, staff, and industries, with an emphasis on the optimal, sustainable, and circular design of living, residential, and working environments.

The HMC is characterized by the following distinctive features:

• Direct involvement in the relevant industry or sector.
• Specialization in vocational training programs.
• Passionate subject teachers with practical experience.
• A safe, small-scale learning environment.
• For more information, visit the HMC website: www.hmcollege.nl.
• A focus on both tradition and innovation.
  

The Supervisory Board

The HMC operates under a Supervisory Board/Executive Board model. The Supervisory Board is responsible for overseeing the Executive Board and the general affairs of the institution. This includes, among other things, the Executive Board’s role as employer, overseeing its decisions, and providing both solicited and unsolicited advice. The Supervisory Board evaluates the performance of the Executive Board annually and ensures a clear division of responsibilities between management and oversight. The members act with alertness, decisiveness, initiative, and a spirit of encouragement. The Supervisory Board operates using a portfolio model in which specific areas of expertise are assigned, such as innovation, finance, entrepreneurship, educational policy, and HRM. The Remuneration Committee is responsible for the recruitment, selection, performance reviews, compensation, and self-evaluation of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board. The Supervisory Board consists of five to seven members.

The procedure

The HMC is working with the executive search firm Colourful People for its recruitment and selection process. Sandra Lutchman, a senior partner at Colourful People, would be happy to provide you with more information about the organization, the position, and/or the application process. You can contact her via WhatsApp at 06 407 44 074.

Important dates:

• The application deadline for both positions is November 3, 2023.
• The interview with the selection committee is scheduled for week 47.
• A video conference with the entire Supervisory Board is scheduled for week 47.
• Candidates will be appointed, subject to mutual agreement, effective January 2024 and June 2024.

Are you interested?

You can upload your resume and cover letter, clearly indicating the industry, via the Colourful People website.

The HMC is committed to ensuring broad diversity on its Supervisory Board, so that it reflects the demographic makeup of the highly diverse cities in which it is located. Candidates who believe they can contribute to this are strongly encouraged to apply.