PPA Parliamentarian Pieters Visits Dutch Vocational School, Pushes for Tourism Education Reform in Aruba

PPA Parliamentarian Pieters Visits Dutch Vocational School, Pushes for Tourism Education Reform in Aruba

Eduard Pieters, parliamentarian for the PPA party, says Aruba must invest in its own talent by reforming vocational education to directly connect classroom learning with the demands of the tourism industry, following a working visit to ROC Mondriaan in The Hague.

During his visit to the Dutch vocational training institute, Pieters observed how theory and practice are integrated in a way that prepares students not only to find employment but to excel in their chosen fields. ROC Mondriaan operates specialized learning environments that replicate real-world industry settings, including hotel operations, culinary facilities, and customer service spaces.

A Working Model Aruba Can Adapt

“The difference lies in the environment,” Pieters explained. “Students learn in a setting that replicates the industry itself — hotels, kitchens, and service. That creates confidence, experience, and the desired level of competence.”

For Pieters, the visit confirmed a vision he has championed for years: education must connect directly with labor market realities. He sees the ROC Mondriaan approach as a clear example of how Aruba can strengthen its own educational system, particularly in the tourism sector, which remains the island”s primary economic driver.

Quality Tourism Demands Quality Talent

Aruba is moving toward a more selective tourism model focused on high value, low impact tourism. However, Pieters emphasized that this shift cannot happen without investing in the island”s workforce.

“We cannot talk about quality tourism if we are not training quality professionals,” Pieters stressed. He called for better vocational training, more opportunities for young people, and a clearly defined pathway from education to leadership roles within the industry.

From Operations to Leadership

One of the most significant takeaways from the visit was the focus on professional growth. At ROC Mondriaan, students are not limited to entry-level positions. The institution offers pathways that can lead to management-level careers.

“We must train not only employees but also our future leaders,” Pieters said. He noted that the sustainability of Aruba”s economy depends heavily on the caliber of its local talent pool.

International Cooperation as a Key Priority

Pieters also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in education. The existing relationship between ROC Mondriaan and EPI (Aruba”s vocational school), along with partnerships involving Curaçao and other regional institutions, presents a real opportunity to build an educational ecosystem connecting the Caribbean with Europe.

“We have the opportunity to work together and create a strong talent pipeline for our region,” he indicated.

Education Investment Must Become a Priority

The visit to ROC Mondriaan confirmed that Aruba has the potential to grow in the right direction, Pieters said. But he delivered a clear political message: investment in education must become a national priority, connections with industry must be strengthened, and young people need more tools to succeed.

“We have talent. Now it is a matter of improving the system that gives them the opportunity to excel,” Pieters concluded. “The future of Aruba lies not only in tourism, but in how we prepare the people who must run and manage that industry.”