1999 is a good year for job-hunting in Netherlands. The Polder model is bearing fruit, the Dutch employement engine is running at full speed and, if the signs do not deceive us, this trend is set to continue. In 1997, 150,000 extra jobs were created. Expected growth in 1998 is much the same, and the forecast is for continuing economic growth in 1999 to create 140,000 extra jobs.

Unemployment amongst the highly qualified in the Netherlands is lower than for the population of working age as a whole. Just less than five percent of the one and half million highly qualified are looking for a job, while the overall unemployment rate is six percent. For starters on the labour market, it is important to note that school leavers, including students, are the main beneficiaries. Unemployment amongst young people has more than halved in recent years.

In some sectors of business, the labour market is already very tight, as the demand for staff is exceeding the supply. The most notable example is the IT sector. Software companies, computer firms and the large banks and telecommunications companies are leaving no stone unturned to provide for their growing need for staff. IT companies pride themselves on also recruiting abroad, so this industry provides promising opportunities for foreign graduates who wish to work in the Netherlands.

Engineering is the second industry where deficits have arisen. The demand for engineers is expected to rise in the next few years. For the first time in ages, employment in Dutch industry, always an important area for engineers, is growing. The large infrastructure projects on the agenda are leading to increased demand for civil engineers. The government is setting the Netherlands to work, so road-building and hydraulics engineers can roll up their sleeves and pitch in.

This growing demand for engineers contrasts with the relatively small number of Dutch students choosing to study technology and science. Industry and the government are seriously worried about this, while universities and colleges do their best to attract more students to these courses. Qualified engineers from abroad are welcomed with open arms.