It's a common problem at tech companies: the increasingly dire shortage of good technical staff. Now that the cabinet has announced cuts to practical learning in the vocational training pathway (bbl), several organisations are concerned that this problem is getting worse.
For 2018, the cabinet has already announced a cut in the subsidy for practical learning of seven million and now it apparently wants to cut it even further. FME, the entrepreneurs' organisation for the technology industry, also reports on the upcoming cuts, which it sees as the most successful route to sustainable labour market entry for young people and adults.
Growth completely undone
According to SBB, Vocational Education Industry, the cuts would have disastrous consequences. "One in five apprenticeships will disappear due to additional cuts," the organisation writes in a press release. "Apprenticeship companies report that they will then be able to offer as many as 40,000 fewer apprenticeships. After years of contraction, the number of apprenticeships was increasing again precisely because of the efforts of vocational education and business together, including the government-supported apprenticeship offensive. This growth will be completely wiped out by a substantial cutback. While the apprenticeships are badly needed right now to train the much-needed professionals and combat labour market shortages."
Lifelong difference
SBB warns that the cabinet's proposed additional cuts could negatively affect the lives of many young people. "For bbl students, there is a danger that they will not be able to find an apprenticeship for their education. As a result, schools will not be able to start the bbl courses, while the labour market has a strong need for these trained professionals. A relatively small amount of the subsidy for the apprenticeship company, can make a lifelong difference for many young people and adults," says Ton Heerts, duo chairman of SBB.
SMEs hit especially hard
Ineke Dezentjé Hamming-Bluemink, SBB joint chairwoman and FME board chairwoman, also sees the negative consequences for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are so important for the economy: "Because of the cutbacks, tens of thousands of apprenticeships will disappear, hitting SMEs particularly hard. For SMEs, the high guidance investments cannot be afforded with the removal of the subsidy."
SBB calls on the cabinet not to make further cuts to the practical learning subsidy scheme and to quickly nip rumours about it in the bud.
Source: SBB
Photo: Engineering Image Bank
