Decrease of Highly Educated Technology Workforce

Description:

This page is being edited by Piotr Ptasinski, EMBA09

As it currently stands, the number of technological students in the Netherlands has been declining for many years in a row. In addition it appears, that after graduation, a large part of the technological professionals prefer to work abroad, or in general business roles rather than scientific or engineering roles within the country. Consequently, the number of technological affluent employees is expected to continue to decline going forward.

Enablers:

Technology/science is not being stimulated at primary and secondary school level, while languages and humanitory studies are.

Poor labour market for technology / inattractive job opportunities.

Lack of opportunities to make a technology career in companies (while business studies are favoured).

Poor pay for technology related jobs.

Competition by students from abroad (developing countries), who will return to their home country after graduating.

Limited amount of opportunities for a scientific career at universities.

Rigid or outdated university programs at universities leading to decline on quality.

More flexible education programs: bachelor for technological students with business focus, masters for truly technological students Increased acceptance of foreigners to technological degrees combined with easy access to visa and working permits after graduation

Inhibitors:

Attractivess and attention for science and technology at young age (e.g. in media).

Limit on foreign students.

Paradigms:

Declining numbers of technological savy employees will hamper the ability of The netherlands to be innovative and to improve productivity in an international context. This in turn will result in a declining competitive position of The Netherlands, specifically when ongoing globalisation will continue to result in fiercer competition from low-cost countries. Furthermore, a declining availability of a technologically savy workforce may result in the fact that existing companies with strong R&D focus will consider moving their R&D activities outside The Netherlands to other countries with sufficient technological resources. This would further deteriorate the Dutch ability to be Innovative and Productive.

Experts:

Onderwijs Cultuur & Wetenschap, 'Wetenschaps en Technologie indicatoren 2003' Economische Zaken, 2004 EU, Innovation Scoreboard 2001

Timing:

The existing downward trend is ongoing since early 1990's. Since the Lisboa Agenda in 2000 little progress has been made. No clear estimates appear available as to the anticipated number of technological savy students and employees; nor have detailed estimates been made as to the technies need by what date.