Labor shortage in the ICT market: government invests 123 million euros

There is a shortage of personnel in the Technology and ICT sectors. For example, in the second quarter of 2022 there were 86,250 vacancies in technology and 35,950 in the ICT sector. The Dutch cabinet is investing 123 million euros to combat the labor shortage in these sectors. This amount is invested in various partnerships between different companies and educational institutions.

Investing in public-private (PPS) partnerships

According to the national government, the Netherlands has been investing in public-private partnerships since 2010 to strengthen the connection between the business community and vocational education. Such collaborations create more employment opportunities and opportunities for innovations and developments. If young people possess the necessary skills for the labor market, they can start working more quickly. Thanks to the contribution from the National Growth Fund, part of the Green and Digital Jobs action plan, more ICT professionals can be trained.

Pillars of Action Plan Green and Digital Jobs

Four pillars have been drawn up in the action plan to counteract the shortage on the labor market. According to the cabinet, it is good for students to know why an ICT study is important. The aim is that young people know what they are contributing to when they choose such a study.

The first pillar should make it possible for VMBO and HAVO students to experience the work field. Working as a hybrid teacher (when you teach, but also work in the field itself) is encouraged. In doing so, the cabinet wants to focus on integrating technology in other disciplines. The second pillar revolves around the inclusiveness of terms of employment, and retraining and further training. This should increase the influx of these sectors. The third pillar describes the goal of using process innovations and digitization to increase productivity. Because although innovation is certainly present, the knowledge of how to apply it is often still lacking.

Combating fragmentation in ICT

An important (fourth) pillar is combating fragmentation within these sectors. The aim of the cabinet is to place more focus on counteracting bottlenecks that stand in the way of supply and demand. In order to achieve this, it is important for the government to work together with various partners. The aim of all this is that the Netherlands can continue to focus on the digital transition.

Upscaling to fifteen partnerships

The contribution of €123 million ultimately ensures that more people can be trained as ICT specialists or find a job in technology. Think not only of students, but also of job seekers and working people. With the condition that the 15 new partnerships receive co-financing from partners. Such as business, education or government. But that is not everything. The 123 million euros is part of a larger budget of 210 million euros. However, the remainder will only be invested in a later phase.

Duration of the plan

The ultimate goal is to stimulate sustainable economic growth. The ICT and Technology sectors must therefore make an important contribution to this. Due to the current staff shortage, this process is stagnating. The plan to invest in more ICT professionals and technicians will run until 2030. Ideally, this plan will generate approximately one million (re)trained people.