Call on the education minister and SME Netherlands: continue to offer sufficient internships

Minister Ingrid van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and chairman Jacco Vonhof (MKB-Nederland) are making a joint appeal to companies and vocational schools to offer sufficient internships and work-study positions during this difficult period. The corona crisis is causing a shortage of 21,000 internship places.

The call for creative solutions is desperately needed because many students are looking for a (graduation) internship or a place to gain experience. A solution could be to spread the offering of internships over the academic year or place two students in one place.

Another solution is for students to look for a place in a different industry, but where they learn the right competencies. The call here is for schools and companies to also look outside the beaten track: which sectors/internships are similar? Where are the shortages and can students make a valuable contribution?

The government is also making an investment of 30 million euros to achieve this. For example, companies that offer apprenticeships receive an advance on their planned subsidy. The subsidy for apprenticeship companies in contact-sensitive sectors will also be increased.

Read more? This can be done via the website of the central government. Need inspiration? Then read this interesting article from EenVandaag, where they visited a special training school that prepares secondary vocational education students for the production of rapid corona tests.