The demand for technical talent in South Holland is growing rapidly

By 2030, around 2,000 additional technicians will be needed in our region, particularly in the high-tech and semiconductor sectors. It’s a significant challenge — but one we can tackle together. One promising initiative? A mechatronics learning community at MICS, where students from vocational (MBO), applied sciences (HBO), academic (WO), and lifelong learning (LLO) programmes come together. Such a community could play a vital role in training the technicians of the future!

Beethoven South Holland at MICS

During the monthly Break to Innovate lunch talk, hosted by SchieDistrict and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences at MICS, Joost van der Veen spoke about the Beethoven South Holland programme. Beethoven is a national initiative with a clear ambition: to recruit tens of thousands of additional engineering and tech students for the semiconductor industry by 2030 — the world behind microchips and microelectronics.

Three powerful action lines

Beethoven addresses this challenge through three key action lines:

1. Expanding and renewing technical education at MBO, HBO, and WO levels. Think of foundation years focused on technology, bridging programmes, and hands-on learning.

2. Lifelong Learning (LLO). Retraining and upskilling programmes for professionals who want to deepen or broaden their expertise in technology and semicon.

3. Strengthening semiconductor facilities in South Holland
For example, an open-access cleanroom in Delft, available for educational institutions in the region.

Joost’s call to action

Does your organisation have training or talent development needs in the tech or semiconductor sector? Can you offer internships or research opportunities for students or professionals? Let us know! Beethoven is happy to think along with you. We’re certainly excited about setting up a mechatronics learning community at MICS. A place where learning, technology, and collaboration come together.