How Jeff de Graaf builds bridges between technology and talent

Jeff de Graaf, Project Manager at the Nederlandse Innovatie Maatschappij (NIM), sees this challenge every day. As the driving force behind MARTECHLAB - a new NIM-supported platform connecting students , educational institutions and maritime companies – he is building the bridge between talent and technology. MARTECHLAB is based in the Rotterdam region, but has a scope that spans the Netherlands and even beyond. “I’m not doing this for the money,” says Jeff. “I want to help move the sector forward. And that starts with people.”

A platform with a mission

The idea for MARTECHLAB was born out of a simple observation. “There are already quite a few initiatives to pull new people into the sector,” Jeff explains, “But most of them focus on students who have already chosen the maritime sector for their future careers. That basis is too small. We need to have a broad array to reach young people in other relevant fields of knowledge in an earlier stage; not just ‘maritime’, but technology in its widest sense.”

At NIM he was given the freedom to set up something new. “We launched the MARTECHLAB  in 2023 in collaboration with the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Its goal: to spark students’ enthusiasm for the maritime industry by involving them in real-world challenges from the maritime industry. 

“We focus on strengthening human capital within the Dutch maritime manufacturing industry by connecting students in technical and logistical vocational and higher education directions with companies. So, MARTECHLAB is about creating internships, doing applied research challenges, getting educational institutions to think about practical collaborations with maritime businesses and vice versa. We do this to promote the sector and show young people what they can do to pursue a career in the maritime industry. Technological progress depends on curious people, not only on machines. MARTECHLAB is here to awaken that curiosity.”

From theory to practice

Within MARTECHLAB, students are linked to companies facing pressing questions. How do you redesign an engine room for methanol as an additional fuel? How do you capture CO₂ on board a ship? How can digital twins be used to make maintenance smarter? But also: how can we get students to take the initiative and have them bring innovation and best practices from other sectors to the maritime sector?

Jeff: “We make sure education and industry talk to each other. I set up internships, challenges and research projects. Sometimes I literally bring a broken component into a classroom: see if you can repair it. Or we put a GoPro on a mechanic’s helmet so students can see what the job really looks like.”

MARTECHLAB seeks to work with a wide array of educational institutions. Right now we have a partnership with the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, but to effectively reach the most students, we want to pair with as many educational institutions as we can. Moreover we seek partnerships in the industry, similar to  Simwave, iTanks and Olthof Marine Group. “Many companies want to attract students and young talent, but don’t have the time or capacity to do so. We help them tell their story and put it into practice.”

What’s happening in the sector?

The maritime energy transition is about much more than cleaner fuels. It involves digitalisation, autonomous shipping, cybersecurity, refits for all sorts of (propulsion) systems and after-treatment systems. And that requires a new generation of professionals – from process operators to system architects.

“Educational and training programmes often lag behind. Things like CO₂ capture or sailing with methanol aren’t part of current curricula. Yet companies and crews will have to learn to operate  and implement  these technologies.”

According to Jeff, the opportunities are plenty, but so are the risks: “If we don’t invest in human capital now, we’ll slow down our own progress. We need smart, technically skilled people and we need to start training them today.”

The Rotterdam region as a springboard

Why Rotterdam? Jeff points to the unique strength of the wider region. “Here, maritime companies are clustered close together and connections are easy to make. If you come up with a good idea, people take you seriously. That network is worth gold.”

Another highlight, according to Jeff, is the port’s role as an international hotspot. “I’ve sailed with seventeen different nationalities. You quickly learn how important it is to be open to other perspectives. The Dutch maritime sector is highly international – that’s our strength.”

And that’s why Jeff not only focuses on Dutch students and companies, but also calls for cross-border collaboration. “Foreign companies are welcome here. You can quickly connect, find people and start projects. As long as you link up with the ecosystem.”

Shout-out: Invest in people!

MARTECHLAB is still young. Initial partnerships have been launched, talks with new partners are ongoing and the project runs until 2031. But its foundation is clear: technology cannot thrive without people and human capital must be central to every innovation strategy.

“The energy transition is not just a technical challenge; it’s a human one. That’s exactly why we must now strengthen collaboration between education, industry and government.”

Jeff’s call to the sector is straightforward: work together, share knowledge and give young people a realistic and inspiring view of what working in maritime technology really means.
“Show them the work. Let them feel the technology. And above all: let them be part of it.”

Those who want more information about this initiative or are interested in a partnership with MARTECHLAB can visit www.martechlab.nl, follow its socials and get in touch with Jeff.

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