Annemarie Moons' Blog: Give young people the space to follow their talent

Should young people more often choose study programs in sectors with staff shortages? According to Annemarie Moons, Chair of the Executive Board of Summa, the solution does not lie in steering study choices. In an op-ed in the ED, she argues for room to discover talent and for education that prepares young people for a constantly changing labor market.

Blog Annemarie Moons, Chair of the Executive Board Summa

Earlier this month, employers, educational institutions, and government bodies gathered during the Brabant Education-Labor Market Summit to discuss the growing staff shortages in sectors such as healthcare, engineering, and construction. Those concerns are justified. However, in the discussion about solutions, the idea is increasingly heard that young people should be steered more explicitly towards specific study programs. That seems logical, but it is not the solution.

The biggest mistake we can make is educating young people for today's shortages, when they will need to be able to adapt to a constantly changing labor market for forty years to come.

Secondary vocational education is a place where young people discover who they are, where their talents lie, and how they can make a valuable contribution to society. At Summa, we believe in a wide range of study programs. We invite young people to discover their talents and pursue their interests in a safe environment. This is important not only for their personal development but also for their academic success. Motivated students are more likely to complete their studies, achieve better results, and are less likely to drop out. That is precisely why it is important for young people to choose a study program that suits them.

Naturally, we need more skilled workers in sectors facing shortages. That is why education and business are already working together intensively to introduce young people to these professions. But the labor market of tomorrow requires more than just professional knowledge. After all, who is still working in exactly the profession for which they were originally trained?

It helps if sectors not only ask young people to choose a specific profession, but also invest in good guidance, sufficient internships, and attractive development opportunities. Young people become enthusiastic about a profession when they experience that they can grow and have prospects within it.

Our mission is broader than filling vacancies. We train students to become agile and resilient professionals who can handle change, develop new skills, and continue to develop throughout their lives.

The Netherlands needs skilled professionals, but also professionals who know their talents and continue to develop them. That starts with an education that suits them.

Annemarie Moons
Chair of the Executive Board of Summa