After 10 years of loyal service at Demokwekerij Westland as cultivation manager, Ary de Jong will be joining HortiTech. There he will become a trainer and mentor from January 1st 2020. Before he joined Demokwekerij Westland, Ary was a tomato grower.
HortiTech is the startup that was established by Peet van Adrichem and his sons Perry and Pim, they train international talent to become skilled staff members for horticultural projects. HortiTech is located in the World Horti Center in Naaldwijk and cooperates with educational institutions, knowledge organizations and horticultural suppliers, so that the latest developments and most recent insights are continuously incorporated into their training and educational programs.
Training
In addition to training courses of one to three months, HortiTech offers a unique trajectory for training to growers or greenhouse managers: MoniMenTal. With this the professionalism of the Dutch grower is central.
Experienced growers are linked to young, recently graduated prospective growers and local horticultural talents. After intensive training in the Netherlands, the graduate will be working on location with the local talent for a period of approximately nine months. They jointly will be managing the production company. From the Netherlands they will be supported by an experienced grower (the Mentor). Information from the greenhouse processes will be shared daily and discussed together via an online monitoring system.
Operational success
After the nine-month period the young Dutch grower will leave, but the local talent will remain under the care of the appointed mentor such as Ary, for an additional period of approximately two years. The process is completed when the talent is able to work independently.
With MoniMenTal, owners of horticultural projects can be assured of the operational success of the nursery. In addition, MoniMenTal offers experienced growers the opportunity to cash in on their knowledge and to train the next generation of growers.
For more information: 
HortiTech
www.horti-technology.com
Pim van Adrichem
[email protected]