Flanders combats shortage of trained engineers

Citation

(2005), "Flanders combats shortage of trained engineers", Education + Training, Vol. 47 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2005.00447bab.013

Flanders combats shortage of trained engineers

Flanders combats shortage of trained engineers

The number of students on engineering courses in the Flanders region of Belgium has more than halved over the last 15 years and now a third of all engineering vacancies in the region are unfilled. Along with the skill shortages – which are particularly acute in civil, electronic and mechanical engineering – are significant numbers of newly qualified graduate engineers who cannot find a job. The main reason is that employers largely seek experienced engineers with leadership skills and the ability to communicate well.

Now Flemish education and training authorities are discussing the possibility of introducing three-year undergraduate courses in engineering (rather than the current four-year courses) with the possibility of a further two years of more specialized study in engineering, plus training in management and communications. This will lead to a master's degree. There are also moves to improve retraining for engineers wishing to return to the profession after a career break.