Welcome to Maastricht Region; the battle for (international) talent

We need every talent! Not only must we, as a region, do everything in our power to retain current (international) talent, recruiting new employees from across the border is also an absolute necessity.

The region is facing a structural shortage of labour while the demand for highly educated talent will only increase in the coming years. If you then consider Maastricht Region as an (as yet) relatively unknown career destination, alongside competition from other regions, the urgency is clear.

The internationalisation of the regional labour market is one of the projects of the Regio Deal Zuid-Limburg. During a working visit to ‘Welcome to Maastricht Region’ at PIT Ground in Sittard-Geleen, the necessity of activating, recruiting, developing, and retaining talent was emphasised.

After an introduction by Vincent Pijnenburg, Director of the Stichting Samenwerking Zuid-Limburg, Ramona Corvers, programme leader of the International Labour Market Approach South Limburg, explained that cooperation within the (EU)region is essential to turn the tide. This cooperation is being shaped through a multi-year programme for attracting Euregional and international talent, retaining talent, and branding the Maastricht Region as a career destination. To set priorities and ensure effective lobbying, an Employer Board has also been established, with representation from DHL, Mercedes, Lonza, MUMC+, Maastricht University, and Medlands Parkstad.

In a panel discussion with Nicole van Haelst (researcher and co-founder of The Volume Recruiter), Vicky Sterk (Connect & Recruitment UM), Guy Vroemen (Director Maastricht Marketing), and Edwin Ummels (International Career Desk Maastricht Region), the urgency of cooperation was once again underlined. Research shows there is significant demand for specific profiles, namely the 15 ‘most wanted’ in mainly technical and knowledge-intensive sectors.

Think, for example, of software engineers, data scientists, and AI specialists. There are already 3,500 vacancies annually, and that number will grow to tens of thousands in the Euregion in the coming years. As the region is shrinking due to an ageing population and fewer young people, 40-60% of vacancies must be filled by internationals. An additional challenge is that other regions are competing for the same talent.

A major challenge is that talent does not yet fully recognise the opportunities in the region. Nowhere in The Netherlands is the stay rate of international students so low. Although the region scores highly for quality of life, it is hardly known as a career destination. What is needed is a clear proposition and visibility of vacancies.

That is why there is a strong focus on branding the ‘Maastricht Region’. There is still work to be done, as many foreigners do not even know where Maastricht or Zuid-Limburg are located. Concrete actions that have been initiated include an International Career Service, recruitment events and campaigns, and the development of a job platform. At the same time, there are challenges to overcome in terms of language. Both internationals and (SME) companies must make efforts to learn each other's language.

And practical obstacles regarding mobility and regulations must finally be addressed. Additionally, more attention is needed to create a ‘sense of belonging’, so that internationals feel welcome and at home in the region. Language, culture, and social integration are important reasons for deciding whether or not to stay here. What also matters are the job opportunities for the partners of internationals.

Source: Economische samenwerking Zuid-Limburg

·         Stay informed via Facebook, X or via the English newsletter, subscribe at the bottom of this page.

·         Submit a local (press) release or event? You can do so via [email protected] .

Want to advertise on Sittard-Geleen.nieuws.nl? Visitor numbers continue to rise, which is good for the visibility of our advertisers, among other things. Do you want to increase your brand awareness?

We are happy to help you think about how to spend your advertising euros as optimally as possible. By advertising locally on Sittard-Geleen Nieuws at a competitive price! Contact Paul Storms by phone: 06-22543972 or by email: [email protected] .

The news desk can be reached via [email protected].