Knowledge workers retained for Dutch economy

More than 90 percent of knowledge workers from the private sector, who, with government support, were temporarily placed at Dutch knowledge institutes, have returned to their former employers. This emerged from an evaluation of the Knowledge Worker Scheme that was presented to the Dutch House of Representatives by  the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.

Financial crisis

Following the outbreak of the global financial crisis companies that were facing acute drops in turnover were offered the possibility to temporarily second knowledge workers, rather than having to fire them. In total 1,900 knowledge workers made use of the scheme, to which the government contributed 180 million Euro.

Bull's eye

"The scheme certainly hit the bull's eye," says Minister Verhagen of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. "It has retained many highly educated specialists for the Dutch economy. Both companies and knowledge institutes have been very enthusiastic about the scheme, which has been an enormous impulse for cooperation."

Fiscal support

The government is taking structural measures to improve the exchange of knowledge workers in companies and knowledge institutes. From 2013 onwards both the posting of knowledge workers from companies to knowledge institutes and vice versa will be supported fiscally.

Source: Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation news item, 14 September 2011