Northern Netherlands receives millions from government to accelerate the training of technical talent

Over the coming two years, the Northern Netherlands will receive almost €6 million from the government to accelerate the training of technical talent for the semiconductor industry. This amount could even be extended to some €22.7 million between 2027 and 2030. This investment in technical education is part of the Dutch Cabinet’s ambitious Beethoven plans, which are intended to retain the semiconductor industry and businesses like ASML in the Netherlands.

The staff shortage in the semiconductor industry, which plays a crucial role in producing medical devices, smartphones, and consumer electronics, is major. 38,000 extra technological staff need to be trained by the end of 2030. This has consequences for the frontrunners in the industry, businesses in our region, and, ultimately, consumers. To tackle the staff shortage, the Dutch Cabinet will be investing millions in the regions of Eindhoven, Delft, Twente, and the Northern Netherlands in the coming years under its ‘Beethoven’ plans.

Around 600 extra technology graduates by the end of 2030

By the end of 2030, the Northern Netherlands expects to be able to produce around 600 extra graduates for the semiconductor industry, with this number remaining at 290 for each year thereafter. To achieve this, focus will be laid on increasing enrolment in education programmes, reducing drop-out rates, and encouraging migration to the semiconductor industry. Upon graduating, graduates will be able to find jobs at ASML in Veldhoven as well as in the Northern Netherlands, where suppliers of ASML, such as Witec, Hittech, and NTS Norma, have already been located for years.

Strengthening the Northern Netherlands as a tech region

President of the Board of the University of Groningen and steering group member of the University of the North, Jouke de Vries, is happy about this good news and sees the multimillion-euro boost as a great step forward towards the ambitions of the Northern Netherlands in the area of technological education: ‘It is clear that the sector needs a boost. We are working hard on that. For example, the Northern Netherlands is already the leader of the HTSM (High Tech Systems and Materials) agenda for Smart and Green Systems, and now the Beethoven plans will be implemented. If I look at how our education and knowledge institutions (from higher vocational education to universities of applied sciences and universities) and the NOM have rapidly arrived at this plan, it gives me a lot of confidence in the future. And don’t forget the role of the co-funders in this, either. They have stood behind this plan and, together, we now have a wonderful package of measures that will turn the Northern Netherlands into a strong tech region. This leaves us wanting more.’

The NOM is also looking forward to the future: ‘As the North, we are working hard towards becoming the fourth tech region of the Netherlands, after Eindhoven, Delft, and Twente.

We have the talent, the research groups, the high-tech companies, and a strong collaboration between them.With this money, we can train even more talent.That benefits the companies we already have here, but also certainly helps attract new high-tech companies to the North,’ says Anne-Wil Lucas, Manager of Innovation and Internationalization at the NOM.

Commitment from government and industry

The Northern provinces, the municipalities of Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen, Smallingerland and Emmen, the Economic Board Noord-Nederland, VNO-NCW MKB Noord, Campus Groningen, Greenwise Campus, Drachten Innovation Cluster, Witec, Hittech, NTS Norma, Hardt Hyperloop, and the IT Hub Hoogeveen have confirmed their commitment to the plans.

International talent of great value for tech sector

The discussion around internationalization also plays a role here. De Vries: ‘The staff shortage in technology is a pressing issue and we need to address it now. International talent will be indispensable to this and of great value to the tech sector. That is why we are focusing on increasing the enrolment of regular Dutch students, but also of international students.’

About the University of the North

The University of the North is an initiative by the UG, UMCG, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, and higher vocational education institutions from the North. Through the University of the North, the education and knowledge institutions involved strive to boost the wide prosperity in the Northern Netherlands and the transitions as formulated in the Knowledge Agenda. This will be achieved by making one another’s education accessible, boosting hybrid research groups and entrepreneurship, and making smart use of one another’s campus facilities.

About the NOM

The NOM is the investment and development society of the Northern Netherlands, which offers tailored funding and advice to innovative businesses that wish to grow or establish themselves in the Northern Netherlands. Through the NOM, businesses can receive help in the form of funding, connections, and knowledge. The businesses are at the centre of this. The services offered are independent, low-threshold, and creative. The NOM contributes to the growth of businesses and, in doing so, strengthens the Northern economy in a sustainable way.

If you have any questions about this press release, please contact Ilse van der Hoek, communications officer of the University of the North, via i.e.van.der.hoek rug.nl or +31 (0)6 2162 2631.