Doekle Terpstra, Chair of Techniek Nederland, the Dutch industry organization for installation and technical retail businesses (formerly UNETO-VNI)
Since 2017, I have had the immense pleasure of serving as the chair of Techniek Nederland. I often say: it’s a privilege to be chair in this era because the technology sector is at the heart of all major societal transitions. It’s fantastic to be involved with a powerful political lobby. As one of the most prominent industry organizations in the Netherlands, we tackle essential themes with a substantive agenda, with all the energy and enthusiasm our sector deserves.
The energy transition is perhaps the most striking societal challenge, but it is far from the only one. Renovation of infrastructure, circularity, healthcare innovations, and enabling independent living for a longer period are also critical. Our sector is indispensable to achieving these goals. If you’re looking for job security in the coming years, the technology sector is definitely the place to be. However, we’re facing a significant shortage of some 30,000 technical professionals in the Netherlands. This will persist as demand grows and the workforce ages.
Tackling the Labor Shortage
Fortunately, the perception of the technology sector has improved in recent years, partly thanks to efforts by Techniek Nederland. The industry’s image has significantly enhanced, and politics now shows greater appreciation for vocational education and craftsmanship. For decades, Dutch policy emphasized general education as the path to success, focusing on a service-based economy. This came at the expense of vocational education, and we’re now paying fort his oversight. An interest in a technical career starts at home. Parents are increasingly encouraging their children to consider vocational education alongside general academic pathways.
The “Aanvalsplan Techniek” initiative
In response to the growing shortage of technical professionals, we developed the “Aanvalsplan Techniek” (Action Plan for Technology) with several other stakeholders. This initiative aims to boost enrollment in technical education, improve workforce training, and attract more people making a career switch. To get this issue up higher on national agenda, collaboration is essential. The Dutch government is increasingly open to partnerships in education and workforce development, helping us secure technical expertise for the long term.
In fields like electrotechnics, rapid technological advancements mean resting on your laurels is simply not an option. A single diploma is no longer a sufficient foundation for a lifelong career; continuous development has become the norm.
Career switchers
The number of career switchers joining the sector has risen significantly — a very positive trend. With an annual demand for 20,000 new, 70% of newcomers are now coming from other fields – an impressive proportion. It’s heartening to see people from different sectors attracted to our own. Many cite their motivation as contributing to a sustainable Netherlands—a compelling reason. Of course, good working conditions also play a role in their motivation, and technical professionals are well-compensated. Overall, our position has improved compared to a few years ago, but continued effort is needed to sustain this progress.
The role of labor migration
Even with increased inflows from education and career switchers, we won’t be able to meet current and future demand. We’ll need to attract employees from abroad to realize the energy transition and our climate goals. We’re advocating for specialized policies for vital sectors such as technology, which are facing acute labor shortages. A Skilled Worker Program, similar to the one in Germany, would make it easier to temporarily recruit technical professionals from outside the EU.
In addition to technical workers, we also need highly educated knowledge migrants. Preserving existing knowledge migration programs is crucial. Without them, we risk significant economic consequences. Dutch industries will need tens of thousands of highly skilled professionals in the next five years—a number that cannot be sourced domestically.
Boosting Productivity
To meet our objectives and remain globally competitive, productivity in the Netherlands needs to increase. Digitalization plays a vital role in this. Recently, the design, construction, and technology sectors, in collaboration with the government, signed an ‘Administrative Agreement on Digitalization of the Built Environment.’ This agreement commits all parties to action and progress reporting. Accelerated digitalization can drive significant productivity gains in our sector.
A Seat at the Table
Electrotechnical issues, along with related challenges like sustainability and energy transition, were traditionally handled by technical staff within companies. Today, these topics are increasingly a priority for CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, and CTOs. They have become top-level strategic concerns.
Our sector has made tremendous strides in recent years. Technical businesses are now integral players in the broader value chain, engaging with politicians, large corporations, the construction sector, and civil infrastructure projects. A decade ago, we had to fight for a seat at the table; now, our participation is a given.
Despite these achievements, I believe our sector is still too modest. While humility can be a virtue, we must also proudly showcase the crucial differences we make. The technology sector has developed remarkably in recent years, and we should let the world see it.
