'We may have 500,000 communication experts in the Netherlands, but hardly anyone who can install or repair heat pumps in your home.' With this statement, Adnan Tekin, chairman of the MBO Council, draws attention to the problem that more and more young people are neglecting secondary vocational education. The ICT sector also suffers. While practically trained MBO graduates are desperately needed, student numbers are decreasing; a dangerous trend.
According to a spokeswoman for the MBO Council, this trend also applies to ROCs and vocational schools that offer courses focused on information technology. And that while there is a crying need for MBO professionals with a practical slant. Consider the large number of vacancies for ICT professionals who have to support systems within organizations. These positions are almost impossible to fill with the result that others can no longer do their work (properly) and job satisfaction diminishes.
