The Netherlands is hunting for South Africans with these skills – paying up to R1.6 million

The Netherlands is facing a shortage of skilled professionals, which offers significant opportunities for South African engineers, with salaries reaching R1.6 million.

The Netherlands is facing a significant shortage of ICT professionals and engineers, leading to an increasing demand for foreign talent, according to recent reports published by De Volkskrant and key Dutch universities.

This talent gap has become a critical issue for the country’s tech sector as rapid digital transformation and technological innovation continue to drive the demand for skilled professionals in information and communication technology (ICT) and engineering fields.

Dutch universities, including the prestigious Delft University of Technology and Eindhoven University of Technology, have highlighted the growing disparity between the supply of qualified graduates and the number of job openings.

As a result, many companies are struggling to fill essential roles in software development, cybersecurity, AI, and engineering, hindering the growth of both startups and established corporations.

According to reports, Dutch institutions are not producing enough graduates to meet the country’s technological demands, with many students opting for non-technical disciplines.

This has prompted universities and the private sector to look beyond Dutch borders to attract highly skilled ICT professionals and engineers from other countries.

The shortage is particularly severe in sectors like artificial intelligence, data science, and automation, which are pivotal to the Netherlands’ ambitions of remaining a competitive global player in technology and innovation.

To address this gap, the Netherlands has been easing immigration policies and providing attractive incentives for skilled foreign workers.

These skilled and in-demand foreign workers include South Africans.

According to the latest statistics from the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS), the number of highly skilled migrants who immigrated to the Netherlands from South Africa more than doubled, increasing from 900 to 1,860 in just over a year.

“This trend is likely to continue as Dutch employers seek to grow their skilled labour force through the recruitment of skilled South Africans,” said Ir Olav’s Globetrotters managing partner, Sonja Poortman.

Ir Olav’s Globetrotters is an international recruitment company specialising in connecting professional talent from South Africa with Dutch companies.

Some of the top-paid in-demand jobs include civil and electrical engineers, software engineers, and Cybersecurity specialists.

The jobs range from R1 million to R1.6 million per annum or R83,000 to R130,000 per month.

The table below lists eight jobs listed on the Netherand’s critical skills list and what they pay per annum.

South African professionals are increasingly sought-after in the Netherlands due to their strong technical skills, adaptability, and English proficiency.

In fields like engineering, information technology, and healthcare, South African workers bring valuable expertise that aligns well with the Netherlands’ growing needs.

South African professionals are known for their problem-solving abilities and experience in sectors like mining, manufacturing, and telecommunications, making them highly suitable for the Netherlands’ innovation-driven industries.

Additionally, many South African professionals possess a strong educational background and global outlook, which helps them integrate seamlessly into international work environments.

The Dutch government’s efforts to attract foreign talent through easier immigration policies and incentives make the Netherlands an appealing destination for skilled South Africans, offering excellent job opportunities and a high quality of life.

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