Fontys & Semiconductor Talent
For many years, Fontys has strengthened the broader Brainport region by educating technical talent and connecting it sustainably to the labour market. The region is globally renowned for its innovative strength and strong employment in the semiconductor industry. Hundreds of companies are based here, enabling the development and production of microchips.
Deploying technical talent is more urgent than ever: global demand for technology is growing rapidly, and without enough qualified professionals, Brainport’s international position will come under pressure. Approximately 70,000 additional engineers and IT professionals will be needed over the next ten years. Fontys plays a key role by offering future-proof, flexible education and targeted talent development.
What is Semicon?
To maintain the region’s leading position, many thousands of additional professionals for the semiconductor industry will be needed in the coming years, from mbo, hbo, and wo education.
Under the name Programme Beethoven, the Dutch government is investing €2.51 billion in infrastructure, housing, and talent development. Through the National Microchip Talent Reinforcement Plan, which is part of Programme Beethoven, the government, regional partners, and educational institutions are working together on the challenge: “Additional talent for semiconductors.”
Fontys is making a substantial contribution and is ready to educate thousands of additional professionals in the coming years.
Want to know more about the National Reinforcement Plan?
Go to Brainporteindhoven.com
Fontys' Contribution
Fontys ensures a steady and future-proof supply of skilled professionals to the microchip sector by providing comprehensive semiconductor education at all levels, from associate degree to professional doctorate for both students and working professionals.
We focus on specialisation, broadening, and flexibilization of our educational offerings for full-time, part-time, and dual students. Through the Brainport Academy, we provide tailored programs for professionals who are or want to become active in the sector.
Relevant educational offerings
By developing future-proof semiconductor education for both students and professionals—from associate degree to professional doctorate—we focus on specialisation, broadening, and flexibilisation of our programmes for full-time, part-time, and dual students.
Through Brainport Academy, we develop lifelong learning (LLO) pathways for working professionals, enabling upskilling and reskilling in a rapidly evolving technical domain.
Attracting, educating and retaining talent
To reach new national and international technical talent and connect with target groups we have not yet fully engaged, we collaborate with other educational institutions in the Netherlands for recruitment efforts.
Additionally, we focus on smooth transitions throughout the entire educational pathway. We support pupils and students in moving between different educational levels, such as through transfers or switches. Successful transitions within the whole educational pathway contribute to higher academic success and increase the outflow of talent into technology and the semiconductor sector.
Improving transitions within the education chain requires effective coordination between educational institutions and other relevant partners. This effort is part of a broader approach in the Brainport region and other educational areas to train more talent for the semiconductor sector.
- We jointly recruit new national and international technical talent.
- We develop activities and programs in the technology domain that help students make study choices based on realistic experiences and qualitative arguments.
- We design educational pathways that meet the diverse backgrounds and needs of students, such as the mhbo-route ICT, accelerated mbo-hbo Engineering pathways, and joint hbo-university Electrotechnical Engineering modules.
- We collaborate to build, align, and coordinate educational routes towards semicon across the educational chain.
- We structure transition phases to strengthen psychosocial factors that contribute to student success.
- We increase progression rates and reduce dropout rates with more flexible education and targeted guidance.
- We create a stronger connection with professional practice through intensive cooperation with companies in the semiconductor sector.
- We pay special attention to the social integration of international students to increase their ties to the region and their stay rate.
The goal is clear: more inflow, less student dropout, and ultimately, more professionals for a career in semicon.
