Increasing numbers of companies and umbrella organisations are recognising the importance of providing information about the sector. For instance, educational packages have been compiled for schools, and companies active in the sector are visiting schools far more frequently to increase the visibility of the sector. Companies also open their doors for visits from schools so pupils can see what happens behind the scenes.
 
The 'green' sector is an important economic branch with a wide variety of disciplines and offers firm job guarantees at different education levels. There is a rewarding job in the 'green' sector for everyone - no matter what your specialism is. For technicians, traders and creative souls as well as people with a background in logistics.
 
It is therefore vital that young people about to embark on further education are aware of the sector and the possibilities it offers. This choice can be at many different stages in life, such as when choosing a secondary school, a college of higher education, a University or a company. There are currently a number of projects that specifically target (part of) this target group.
 
Groenwerkt (primary schools)
Groenwerkt is a project aimed at increasing the knowledge and awareness of primary school children about the wide ranging possibilities of the sector. This is done using an informative game that can be played with the whole class. The project is backed up by the website, groenwerkt.nl. The site (Dutch) contains more information and the contact details.
 
It's Alive (young adults aged 16-24 years)
The national campaign It's Alive targets young people to encourage an interest in working in the green sector. The objective of the campaign is also to raise awareness of the fact that there is a suitable job in the sector for everyone. The campaign appears in the mass media, such as in TV commercials and a dedicated Month of Horticulture on MTV. The campaign is also supported by an extensive website (Dutch).
 

Major Earth (secondairy schools)
An initiative of the plant reproduction material sector is Major Earth - a campaign directed at young people. This part of the sector is largely unknown among this group of society, even though it has a highly innovative, technical and international profile. The aim of the campaign is to show young people a more representative image of this part of the 'green' sector. Major Earth has developed a number of communication tools that can be used at secondary schools. For more information visit major-earth.com (Dutch).
 
Seed Valley (secondairy schools, higher education and university)
There are also some local initiatives, such as Seed Valley. Seed Valley is a cooperative venture of seed companies in the North-West of the Netherlands. They form a cluster to work on creating a better and more defined image of the sector on the employment market. For more information visit the Seed Valley website.