Talent in Focus 2021/2022
Recently released with the 2eedition an update of 'Talent in Beeld', a monitor that provides insight into the number of energy-oriented students in Noord-Nederland. The overview has been compiled by NOM and New Energy Coalition, and is an inventory of the 'energy students' who are designated as such at vocational, higher professional and university levels in Noord-Nederland. It provides a useful picture of the available potential for the energy-related labor market and thus supports the business climate for energy businesses in the region. The doubling of the number of higher professional education students focusing on energy in their studies is striking.
Noord-Nederland is the energy region of the Netherlands. Groningen gas production has long since given way to knowledge and expertise in hydrogen, renewable energy, and everything related to the energy transition of the future. Dina Boonstra, director NOM: “Energy-related studies are crucial for the development of a sustainable future. The many energy students in Noord-Nederland contribute to this. Gaining knowledge and thinking in opportunities supports a stable energy supply for future generations.' Marieke Abbink, CEO of New Energy Coalition, put Human Capital on the map for her organization: "We must prepare young people, especially in this region, for the energy jobs that await them. Work is already stalling due to a lack of people with the right education and background. There are also great opportunities for people who are already working but want to retrain or further their education to work in the energy sector."
Biggest growth in higher professional education
In the 2021/2022 study period, the number of students interested in energy-related studies increased, compared to the previous survey (academic year 2019/2020), grown by about 5.000. From 17.383 to 24.256, which is an increase of 29%. The largest growth was among university of applied sciences students, who doubled.
Furthermore, we see an increase in the number of energy bachelors, both in studies and in the number of participants, and in both Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen and University of Groningen. At Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, 12.308 students followed an energy track (up from 6.467), primarily in programs like Law, International Business, and ICT. At the University of Groningen, the number rose from 2.875 to 3.355, primarily in Physics and Spatial Planning & Design. The number of minors remained virtually unchanged, and the number of master's degrees saw a slight increase.
Students desperately needed
By working together smartly, acting smartly, devising smart ideas and putting them into practice, we are on our way to a sustainable and climate-neutral energy system. Noord-Nederland does all of this on a unique scale, with large and small businesses, governments, and educational institutions all contributing to formulating answers. The energy transition is so comprehensive, the challenges so diverse, that only by approaching it from all angles, we can find answers. That is precisely what Noord-Nederland is doing. The ecosystem, already so active, is constantly growing stronger. And student knowledge is crucial for this. That's why the Talent in Focus monitor is so valuable: it provides insight into the available potential for energy-related issues, enabling the necessary steps to be taken for the energy transition.
