Six vocational colleges (MBO) in the provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg are offering a 500-euro study voucher to technology students. Technical students of BOL-opleiding, a school-based vocational pathway, receive this starter fund. This financial support will help students purchase a laptop capable of running specialised software required for their studies.
The scheme is part of Talent for Semicon, a collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and industry leaders under the Beethoven agreements. A key goal of the programme is to encourage more young people to pursue careers in the semiconductor industry.
A sector with high demand for skilled workers
Modern technical courses require high-performance hardware, which can be a significant expense for many families. Marty Willems, program director of Talent for Semicon at Summa, explains that the voucher ensures that costs do not prevent students from enrolling. He states that everyone should have a fair chance to choose a career in technology. Students starting a technical course in the 2026/2027 academic year will automatically receive a personal voucher code.
The semiconductor industry is a vital part of the economy, producing essential chips for smartphones, cars, medical devices, and energy networks. While the Brainport region is a major hub for this sector, the demand for skilled technicians is currently outstripping the number of new students.
National Microchip Talent Strengthening Plan
This project is supported by the National Microchip Talent Strengthening Plan. Within the Brainport region, several institutions, including TU/e, Fontys, and Brainport Development, are working with the government and private sector to train thousands of new workers for the microchip industry by 2030. This effort aims to strengthen the Netherlands’ international competitiveness as a leading high-tech region.
The participating colleges are Curio, Gilde Opleidingen, Koning Willem I College, Ter AA, Summa, and Yonder. They train a large proportion of these future professionals. The voucher is not a recruitment campaign, but a practical way to support those who have chosen a technical path.
