Approval for Delft Beethoven plans for additional technicians in microchip sector

22 November 2024

Groen licht voor Delftse Beethoven-plannen voor extra technici in de microchipsector

Educational institutions in South Holland are joining forces to train more technicians for companies in the microchip sector. Over the next five years, they are aiming for 1,000 additional engineering students and another 1,000 retraining and upskilling employees. This ambition forms the core of the Regioplan Beethoven Zuid-Holland Delft. Noteworthy is the integrated effort of three educational sectors: MBO, HBO and WO. 

In this first phase (2025-2026), the national government is making available €9.4 million for the South Holland region. A total of €43 million has been reserved for the plans from Delft, in addition to investments from the region itself. This is what ministers Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs) and Eppo Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) are writing to the House of Representatives this week.  

Growing microchip sector in South Holland 

The Dutch microchip sector is of great importance to the Dutch economy. ASML ranks among the top companies worldwide and builds on a widespread network of high-tech suppliers. Besides an ASML location in Delft, many of these supplying companies in the microchip chain are located in South Holland. Companies like Hittech, Nearfield Instruments, Demcon and dozens of others. The growth of ASML as well as the growth of all these chain parties is creating a substantial talent demand. The Beethoven plans address this talent demand from the microchip sector. In this way, education and the professional field together contribute to the future economic development of the Netherlands. 

Regional plan South-Holland 

The regional plan was drawn up by TU Delft, ROC Mondriaan, Hogeschool Inholland and The Hague University of Applied Sciences, together with the Economic Board Zuid-Holland (Human Capital Agenda), Innovation Quarter, representatives of microchip companies and Delft Municipality. The plan follows the talent shortages in the semicon sector: industry-led. The plan outlines intensive cooperation with industry and all the knowledge institutions in South Holland. 

The activities in the regional plan form three lines of action: 

  • Targeted expansion of education: investment and expansion in education, new MBO and HBO study programs will be started specifically for the microchip sector, and joint recruitment will be intensified.  
  • A joint effort in lifelong learning: a semicon learning point will be set up, where all educators of South Holland link their course offerings to the demand from the microchip work field. Public and private education will work together with businesses. The national government has reserved an additional €2.8 million for when these plans are further developed. 
  • Joint semicon lab facilities: A special cleanroom for teaching will be set up in Delft, where students will learn to work with the high-tech equipment of the microchip sector. 

By 2030, these investments will lead to a significant expansion in the technology domain and at least 2,000 additional workers in the microchip sector. Currently, 50% of Dutch technicians are already trained in South Holland. The Beethoven Regioplan Delft will structurally strengthen that position.