Sector Projects & Consultancy: connecting knowledge partner STC Next sets the standard internationally

Public and private

The Projects & Consultancy sector focuses on training, education and consultancy with a team of around eleven employees. They work across four sectors: maritime, ports, transport and logistics. Adson explains: “We work with both public and private organisations. Assignments come to us through a strong international track record and personal network.”

STC Next works with governments worldwide, international development banks and organisations such as UNESCAP and UNCTAD. In addition, STC Next carries out assignments for private parties all over the world, including terminal operators and logistics service providers. As an independent organisation, STC Next makes a significant contribution to the professionalisation and development of people through this role.

A promising future

STC Next works for clients in countries that are developing strongly in the maritime, port, transport and logistics sectors. “To stay close to our clients, we are often represented locally as well. This is the case, for example, in Colombia, Brazil and Indonesia, where we have a local team of project managers and consultants. We are also represented in South Africa, Oman and Vietnam through our own branches. Here, we have our own education and training facilities. This gives us a strong local base in these countries, allowing us to respond effectively to the needs for education, training and consultancy within the sectors of STC Next. In addition to the countries where we have a local presence, our clients are based worldwide, with a strong focus on Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.”

Maritime connectivity

Around 80% of total world trade is transported by ship, locally, regionally and intercontinentally. “This makes maritime connectivity and the role of the port crucial in facilitating this process,” says Adson. In Asia, for example, this is also linked to strong economic growth and development. STC Next offers solutions for both governments and companies to support this process. These solutions focus on strengthening employees’ knowledge and skills through training and education. In addition, STC Next provides strategic advice to both public and private parties, enabling them to keep pace with the latest developments. This prepares stakeholders in and around the port for the future.

Trends

“Sustainability always plays a role,” Adson explains. “This is not only about the environment, but also about economic and social sustainability. In environmental terms, there are goals to achieve in the context of the energy transition in the port. Economically, there are goals around automation and digitalisation. Socially, training and education are needed to further strengthen knowledge and skills. All these elements contribute to sustainable development in and around the port. STC Next responds by aligning its services with these needs and moving with these trends.”

Spin-off

Internationally, STC Next is not only a knowledge partner, but also a connector that creates spin-off. “Wherever we work, connections emerge between countries, ports, and public and private organisations. Over time, we see that stakeholders in and around the port are positively influenced by the progress we help achieve. That is a valuable spin-off that contributes to our distinctive strength and further reinforces our position. ‘Keeps you growing’, we say at STC Next. This growth applies not only to our clients, but also to ourselves. Every international project we carry out teaches us something new. We take these experiences with us into all the regions we work for, so we can deliver services that are aligned with our clients’ needs and contribute to development,” says Adson.