On Thursday, October 15th, Vloot participated in the YOUCA Action Day, an initiative where 15,000 young people work for a day at a company, organization, government, or private individual. Their earnings are donated to global youth projects, and participants gain insight into the professional field.
This year, Vloot welcomed a Crossmedia student from the Ensor Institute in Oostende. The student, who is studying video, photography, graphic design, and digital communication, got a behind-the-scenes look at the organization and learned about the role of communication in a maritime environment.
The day began with an introduction to Vloot and the communication team. Afterwards, the student, Rani, visited the ferry services in Oostende for a practical assignment. She was welcomed aboard by skipper Jan Van Dycke and sailor Thomas Vanderbeke. Skipper Bart Casier also briefly took the helm.
Rani took photos and videos on and around the ferries and created an Instagram post about the service. The collected footage will also serve as a basis for a future video about the ferry services.
“"I enjoyed getting to know Vloot. It was an educational day, and I received many tips and tricks about photo and video. The ferry crew was very hospitable, and I felt at home."
For Vloot's colleagues, it was also an engaging experience. Participating in the YOUCA Action Day offered a great opportunity to introduce young talent to the maritime sector. "It's always nice when colleagues from communication come to take photos or videos. We are happy to cooperate. It's rewarding to see how our work becomes visible to others," said Thomas Vanderbeke.
Through the YOUCA Action Day, Vloot emphasizes the importance of collaboration with educational institutions. By giving young people insight into the organization, they hope to inspire them towards a future in the maritime sector and help them form a clearer picture of their future careers.
“"Introducing young people to our organization is investing in the future. It was great to see how curious and enthusiastic Rani was, and how she shared her perspective on communication with us. Who knows, Vloot might be a source of inspiration for her future choices."
