Working Together for a Healthy Future
We are committed to a more vibrant vocational education system by making student lifestyles more transparent, integrating (professional) vitality into the curriculum, and promoting vitality in our lifelong learning (LLO) offerings.
Insight into the Lifestyles of Vocational Students
Through "Test Your Lifestyle," we map out various lifestyle factors among a large portion of first-year students. We use these insights to evaluate and shape policy, engage in discussions with students, and enhance our approach. Additionally, we examine national lifestyle trends among vocational students in collaboration with various knowledge institutions, such as the Trimbos Institute and the Dutch Vocational Education Council (MBO Raad). Insights into the lifestyles of our own vocational students, as well as those from other regions in the Netherlands, are crucial for evaluating and strengthening approaches in vocational education.
Mentally Vital
Based on insights from the monitor on mental well-being, several classes in the Health & Welfare program at Alfa-college have, within the Mentally Vital Project, extensively shared the challenges they face and contributed to designing possible solutions. Responding to students' needs for more active and dynamic lessons, a training program on the theme "Active School Day in Vocational Education" has been developed and delivered in collaboration with four other vocational institutions and external experts. Various experiments have been conducted in co-creation with students to reduce sitting throughout the school day and increase movement before, during, and after classes.
(Professional) Vitality in the Curriculum
A third of the educational teams at Alfa-college have begun designing and implementing professional vitality in their curriculum. Complementing this, reinforcement has been created through structural collaboration with six other vocational institutions, Healthy School, and the MBO Raad to collectively develop and test profession-specific curricula for various programs. Because the healthcare sector faces the greatest challenges regarding sustainable employability, we are focusing extra attention on future and young healthcare professionals, including through a professional doctorate. We collaborate with a broad network in the Groningen region (Healthy Groningen) and specifically with healthcare provider de Hoven and other vocational, higher professional, and university institutions. Bringing together activities in a clear program with clear goals and proper evaluation will require continued focus in the coming years, with an emphasis on movement for mental well-being (movement in vocational education, role of the Vitality Campus/Practical Research Centre).
(Professional) Vitality in LLO Programs
Progress has been made in custom training, such as the Positive Health trainings for organizations, including DUO. A structural integration of (professional) vitality in the broader LLO offerings is still lacking. However, participants are actively asked how they feel after completing a training course. This helps to gain insight into the impact of the offerings. For the coming years, there is a realistic plan in place to achieve these ambitions for a more vibrant LLO offering.