Netherlands faces mass shortage of top expats

[dutchdemocrat]

Ever thought of living in the Netherlands? They are hungry for IT people here.

Netherlands faces mass
shortage of top expats

4 May 2005

AMSTERDAM — The Dutch government is battling to lure skilled expats to the country amid reports the Netherlands is expecting a shortage of 120,000 skilled expats in the coming period.

This shortage comes despite the fact 400 people have availed of a new entry procedure introduced last October by the government for highly-skilled expats.

In addition, 450 companies and education institutes have registered with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to make use of the new system, IND spokesman Martin Bruinsma said on Wednesday.

Under the new system, expats who earn more than EUR 45,000 gross per year no longer need a work permit and are granted a residence permit

for five years.

The income criterion does not apply to doctoral students or to postgraduates and university teachers under 30 years of age. Knowledge migrants under 30 years of age must earn at least EUR 32,600.

snip

http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=1&story_id=19772&name=Netherlands+faces+massshortage+of+top+expats

[Melodybe]

1. Amsterdam wants Americans so bad they are willing to pay for it!?!

interesting...

[Huckebein the Raven]

2. Really ?

very interesting....

[dutchdemocrat]

4. I am an Expat

And was quite surprised to see this article as the economy has not been all that great in NL.

However, Holland is, by far, the most bilingual (English) nation on the continent... almost everyone here speaks some english so it's a natural fit for multinationals to base here.

Why do the Dutch speak English so well? The language itself is close and they don't dub television or cinema in Holland - which means that people are exposed to English with Dutch subtitles on a daily basis. Germany, France and most European countries still put their own language into the actors' mouths.

It's a great little country full of sensible people and sensible laws. Expect to pay taxes here - lots. But you get a lot in return including affordable healthcare (everyone has that by right), free university (kids are paid to go to school), good roads and public services, etc.

Gas is US$5.50 a gallon here, so a bike's a good idea and the cities are set up for it. I rarely drive.

[Huckebein the Raven]

5. Is education free through grad school ?

[dutchdemocrat]

7. Yes and No

All education in the Netherlands is subsidised.

In Holland Post Secondary education is free (school, books, living expenses) if your parents don't make enough money.

If you are estranged from your wealthy parents there are ways around it.

If you parents are wealthy, they have to chip in.

Everyone gets their education paid for (a base) and a minimum monthly living expense. The living expense is where the 'parent' factor comes in and those with wealthy parents get the minimum base and those with financially challenged parents will get an augmented payment - enought to live off of comfortably.

And yes... it is right through Grad School.

[serryjw]

6. How well can you live on this income?

n/t

[dutchdemocrat]

8. Student life

Is good in Holland. I live in Groningen which is a student city (the university was founded in 1614). As far as I can see they live frugally but well... with all the nightlife and things going on around town here.

[patricia92243]

9. If college is free, I wonder why they don't have enough of the kind of

skilled people that they want.

[dutchdemocrat]

10. Good Question

And that I can't answer lucidly - as its fairly complex.

Students are divided at an earlier age into specific streams (trade, academics) much like the UK.

STIO is decided at the age of 12 and that defines whether you go to university or trades school.

However at the age of 21, anyone can go as long as they pass an ENGLISH test according to my wife. A very high rate of university courses are being conducted in English now in the Netherlands... I believe over 1000 programs.

Perhaps not enought students were being shifted into university education to meet the heavy demand of the IT and academic sectors.

[spindoctor]

3. Grote grutten!

What am I still doing here? LOL

I thought about returning to Holland last year, but the IT market was as bad as ever.

Ironically enough, I now work for a customer in Waddinxveen.

Hey, its a global economy!