in the Netherlands Engineering Labour Force What Employers Need to Know Rates of Pay Where to Recruit

Engineering Labour Force in the Netherlands Engineering Labour Force What Employers Need to Know Rates of Pay Where to Recruit

Engineering Labour Force There are approximately 390,000 people in the Netherlands working in engineering occupations, including about 172,000 engineers, 212,000 engineering technicians and 6,500 geoscientists. The Dutch engineering-related labour force is nearly five times that of Alberta s. Compared to Alberta, the Netherlands has a higher number of engineering workers per capita: 45 engineering-related workers per 1,000 Dutch workers vs. 41 engineering-related workers per 1,000 in Alberta. The demographics and work habits of the Dutch engineering labour force differ from those of many other EU countries. For example, nearly one quarter (23 per cent) of Dutch engineers work part-time, and compared to other countries, the Netherlands has a higher percentage (19 per cent) 1 of engineers who are female. The country is home to some of the world s largest companies, including Royal Dutch Shell, EADS, LiondellBasell Industries, Philips Electronics and GasTerra, 2 all of which are major employers of engineers and engineering technicians. Dutch universities produce 10,000 15,000 engineering graduates 3 a year, but despite these additions, in 2011 Dutch officials reported a shortage of engineers. 4 Unemployment The unemployment rate in the Netherlands was not dramatically affected by the uncertain global economic situation between 2007 and 2011. The unemployment rate increased from a five-year low of three per cent in 2008 to 4.4 per cent in August 2011. Consequently, Dutch engineers are unlikely to be motivated to seek work abroad based solely on job prospects. English language education is mandatory in all primary and secondary schools in the Netherlands for both academic and vocational tracks. 1 bid. 2 The Netherlands is the second-largest national gas producer in Europe and accounts for more than 30 per cent of the EU total natural gas production. 3 In 2009, there were just over 10,000 students who graduated with engineering degrees from the universities of applied science, while there were about 3,300 engineering graduates from the country s research universities. 4 It is believed that the shortage is due in part to an increasing share of engineering graduates who are recruited to work in other sectors or fields. 1

...nearly one quarter of Dutch engineers work part-time, and compared to other countries, the Netherlands has a higher percentage of engineers who are female. English Language A large proportion (70 per cent) of the Dutch population speaks English. 5 English language education is mandatory in all primary and secondary schools in the Netherlands for both academic and vocational tracks. Most master s programs are taught entirely in English, 6 and Dutch students must read many of their textbooks, websites and other media in English. According to the English Proficiency Index published by Education First, English speakers in the Netherlands have the second-highest level of English proficiency 7 of any country for which English is not an official national language. 8 Likelihood of Immigrating Out-migration from the country is modest, with about 97,000 persons age 20 65 emigrating in 2010 (approximately six out of 1,000 residents migrate out per year). If emigration among engineers is similar to that of the nation overall, 9 about 2,500 engineering-related workers could leave the country per year. Foreign workers represent a small but mobile segment of the Dutch labour force about one per cent of engineers and two per cent of engineering technologists and technicians in the country. Of this small pool of workers, the majority are from elsewhere in Europe (59 per cent), 10 with the balance coming from Africa (12 per cent), Asia (12 per cent), the Americas (5 per cent) and the rest of the world (12 per cent). The percentage of non- European Union (EU) citizen engineering workers in the labour force overall is therefore quite small less than a half per cent of the total engineering labour force. The Dutch engineering labour force is the fifth oldest among 27 EU nations, but about one quarter (28 per cent) are under age 35. 11 These younger workers are more likely than their older counterparts to seek work abroad. 5 See www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/wat-is-het-aanbod-aan-vreemdetalen-in-de-onderbouw-van-het-voortgezet-onderwijs-vo.html. 6 According to the Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education (Nuffic), 1,543 out of 1,560 international master s study programs are taught entirely in English. 7 As measured by average scores on English language exams. Norway scored the highest. 8 Education First is a privately held company that works to increase language development skills across the globe and maintains an annual English Proficiency Index that rates countries on the level of English proficiency among individuals completing an English language assessment. 9 No statistics are available on out-migration of engineers or related workers, specifically. 10 See CBS Statline Database. 11 See European Engineering Report, FEANI. 12 ibid. 2

What Employers Need to Know Engineers and Geoscientists According to Alberta law, to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently in Alberta, a worker must be licensed by The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). Unlicensed workers may practice engineering, but only under the supervision of a licensed engineer. Similar rules apply to internationally educated engineers. They may be permitted to work in Alberta without a license, provided that they work under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng). In order to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently, internationally educated workers must have their credentials evaluated by APEGA to determine whether or not they meet the requirements for licensure. Regardless of academic background, all foreign applicants must also: 1. Take the professional practice exam and show relevant knowledge of Albertan law and ethics 2. Obtain one year of Canadian experience; they can apply and gain conditional approval before doing so 3. Be competent in English 4. Provide character references 5. Possess Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status; an applicant not possessing either may apply as a Foreign Licensee To learn more about APEGA s licensing requirements, see www.apega.ca. Technicians and Technologists Technicians and technologists do not need licenses to practice in Alberta, but may voluntarily apply for certification from the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET). ASET uses a competency-based evaluation to assess the qualifications of internationally educated individuals. Successful applicants must have an appropriate combination of post-secondary education in their field and practical experience. Many European bachelor s degrees are awarded after three years. Workers holding them would likely qualify for technologist or technician certification with ASET, while those with lower qualifications may qualify at the technician level. Candidates seeking ASET certification generally require: 1. At least two years of professional experience, including one year of Canadian experience 2. Successful completion of the professional practices exam 3. Three verifiable references 4. The ability to work in English 5. Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status To learn more about ASET s certification requirements, see www.aset.ab.ca. In order to practice engineering, geology or geophysics independently, internationally educated workers must have their credentials evaluated by APEGA to determine whether or not they meet the requirements for licensure. 3

Table 1. Dutch Titles for Engineering Occupationsand Related Professional Organizations Canadian Engineering Occupations Similar Occupations/Titles in the Netherlands Professional Organizations Engineering s Engineering s, Techniek s, Ingenieur met management ervaring, Engineer in Management Science Civil Engineers Civil ingenieurs or burgerlijk ingenieurs Mechanical Engineers Mechanical ingenieurs Electrical and Electronics Engineers Electrical and Electronics engineers or elektrotechniek en elektronica ingenieurs Chemical Engineers Chemical engineers or chemisch ingenieurs Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers or industriële en productie ingenieurs Metallurgical and Materials Engineers Metallurgical and Materials Engineers or metallurgische en materialen ingenieurs Mining Engineers Mining Engineers or mijningenieurs Petroleum Engineers Petroleum Engineers Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians MTS civiel or MBO civiel Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians MTS werktuigbouwkunde or MBO werktuigbouwkunde Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians MTS eletrotechniek or MBO eletrotechniek Industrial Instruments Technicians and Mechanics MTS eletrotechniek or MBO eletrotechniek Geosciences Occupations Geologist, Geochemists and Geophysicists Geologist, Geochemists and Geophysicists, or Geoloog, Geochemici and Geofysici Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians No distinctions between levels of workers, other than the degree. Architecture-Related Occupations Architectural Technologists and Technicians Drafting Technologists and Technicians Bouwingenieur (Structural Engineer), Bouwtechnoloog (Building Technologist) Assistant Architects or Jr. Architects, Architectural Project s. BBE (Bachelor s in the Built Environment) Tekenaar (Draftsmen), or computerondersteund ontwerp (Computer Aided Design), Gebouw laden (Building Drawers), or Technisch tekenaar (Technical Draftsman). The Royal Institute of Engineering in the Netherlands (KIVI NIRIA) The Royal Institute of Engineering in the Netherlands (KIVI NIRIA) Stichting Bureau Architectenregister (SBA) regulates professional architects. The Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA) is the professional society for full architects. There is no governing organization below the professional level. Electronic Service Technicians Electronic Service Technicians MTS eletrotechniek or MBO eletrotechniek Ministry of Education, Culture and Science Source: RDA Global, contributions from listed professional organizations 4

Fact Sheets Fact sheets on hiring internationally trained workers in engineering-related occupations can be found at www.albertacanada.com/immigration/publications.aspx. Follow the links below for more information on hiring for specific occupations: Hiring Architectural or Drafting Technologists or Technicians from the Netherlands Hiring Electronic Service Technicians from the Netherlands Hiring Engineers from the Netherlands Hiring Engineering Technologists or Technicians from the Netherlands Hiring Geoscientists from the Netherlands Hiring Geological/Mineral Technologists or Technicians from the Netherlands 5

Table 2. Dutch Engineering Labour Force by Occupation, Average Age and Average Income, 2010 Canadian Occupations Related Occupations in the Netherlands (ISCO-88) Labour Force Labour Force per 1000 Workers Average Age Average Income* (EUR) Average Income* (CAD) 6,474 0.7 Geologist, Geochemists and Geophysicists 2114 Geologists and geophysicists Civil Engineers 2142 Civil engineers 31,770 3.6 38,296 $58,695 Mechanical Engineers 2145 Mechanical engineers 26,774 3.1 50 2143 Electrical engineers 15,302 1.7 38,945 $57,982 Electrical and Electronics Engineers 21 Electronics and telecommunications engineers 10,474 1.2 62 43,758 $51,605 Chemical Engineers 2146 Chemical engineers 7,823 0.9 42,878 $56,816 2,988 0.3 48 2147 Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals 2,329 0.3 47,907 $63,480 2149 Architects, engineers and related professionals not classified elsewhere 74,371 8.5 39 3111 Chemical and physical science technicians 31,969 3.6 33 3,492 0.4 996 0.1 48 Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers 2141 Industrial and production engineers Metallurgical and Materials Engineers Mining Engineers Petroleum Engineers Other Engineers and Related Professionals Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians Chemical Technologists and Technicians 3117 Mining and metallurgical technicians 3116 Chemical engineering technicians Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians 3112 Civil engineering technicians 17,632 2.0 46 39,411 $52,222 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians 3115 Mechanical engineering technicians 17,286 2.0 52 43,961 $58,251 3113 Electrical engineering technicians 10,638 1.2 46 36,774 $48,728 3114 Electronics and telecommunications engineering technicians 19,624 2.2 50 7243 Electronics mechanics and servicers 22,790 2.6 34 34,567 $45,804 3118 Draughtspersons 50,610 5.8 57 3119 Physical and engineering science technicians not classified elsewhere 37,102 4.2 57 6,474 0.7 All Engineers 171,831 19.6 42,964 $57,384 All Engineer Technicians and Technologists 212,139 24.2 48 38,536 $51,063 All Engineering Occupations 390,4.6 46 40,739 $54,209 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians Electronic Service Technicians Industrial Instruments Technicians and Mechanics Architectural Technologists and Technicians Drafting Technologists and Technicians Other Related Technician and Technologist Occupations All Geoscientists *Reflects average gross annual income for employees of mid-sized firms. Averages exclude self-employed and independent engineers. Amounts exclude bonus payments, commissions, housing stipends and other payments. Currency conversion based on rate on December 31, 2010 at 1 EUR = 1.32507 CAD. Sources: Institute for Labour Studies; European Social Survey; RDA Global Analysis. 6

Rates of Pay Engineering-related workers in the Netherlands and Alberta are similarly compensated. Average wages for full-time engineers in the Netherlands, excluding bonuses, commissions or other forms of compensation, range from 38,000 to 70,000, ($50,200 to $92,500 CAD) depending on occupation (excluding self-employed workers). Average wages for engineering technicians and technologists range from 36,800 to,000 ($48,700 to $58,200 CAD). 14 Source: Institute of Labour Studies. Average income estimates are based in part on the monthly national income survey performed by CBS (the national statistical agency) and incorporate data collected from individual workers and employers. Note: There is no official wage or salary survey conducted in the Netherlands at a national level that targets engineers or engineering-related occupations. The leading engineering association in the Netherlands, Koninklijk Instituut Van Ingenieurs (KIVI NIRIA), does not conduct wage surveys. 7

Table 3. Average Annual Income in the Netherlands by Experience Level, 2010 Employees Professionals Civil Engineer Electronics Engineer Electrical Engineer Chemical Engineer Mining Engineer Other Engineer Technicians Civil Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Industrial Mechanics Self-Employed Civil Engineers Average Annual Income,296 $58,695 38,945 $51,605 43,758 $57,982 42,878 $56,816 47,907 $63,480 70,9 $93,350 39,411 $52,222 36,774 $48,728 43,961 $58,251 34,567 $45,804 62,870 $83,307 5 Years Exp 10 Years Exp 20 Years Exp 30 Years Exp Non- 35,071 $46,472 30,633 $40,591 34,418 $45,606 33,726 $,689 37,681 $49,930 55,777 $73,908 31,043 $41,134 28,869 $38,253 32,726 $43,364 29,165 $38,646 41,549 $55,055 36,291 $48,088 40,775 $54,030 39,956 $52,9,642 $59,154 66,080 $87,561 35,765 $47,391 33,260 $,072 37,704 $49,960 33,702 $,658 Non- 40,321 $53,428 35,218 $46,666 39,570 $52,433 38,775 $51,380 43,322 $57,405 64,127 $84,973 35,494 $47,032 33,009 $43,739 37,419 $49,583 34,208 $45,328 47,769 $63,297 41,724 $55,287 46,879 $62,118 45,937 $60,870 51,324 $68,008 75,972 $100,668 40,893 $54,186 38,030 $50,392 43,111 $57,125 39,530 $52,380 Non- 48,709 $64,543 42,545 $56,375 47,802 $63,341 46,841 $62,068 52,335 $69,348 77,468 $102,651 43,050 $57,0 40,036 $53,051 45,384 $60,137 43,012 $56,994 57,706 $76,464 50,404 $66,789 56,632 $75,041 55,494 $73,533 62,002 $82,157 91,778 $121,612 49,559 $65,669 46,126 $61,120 52,288 $69,285 49,703 $65,860 Non- 52,189 $69,154 45,585 $60,403 51,217 $67,866 50,188 $66,503 56,074 $74,302 83,002 $109,983 47,246 $62,604 43,937 $58,220 49,808 $65,999 47,965 $63,557 61,829 $81,928 54,005 $71,560 60,677 $80,401 59,458 $78,786 66,431 $88,026 98,334 $130,299 54,433 $72,128 50,621 $67,076 57,384 $76,038 55,427 $73,5 *Reflects average gross annual income for employees of mid-sized firms. Amounts exclude bonus payments, commissions, housing stipends and other payments made to workers beyond monthly income. Source: Wage Indicator, Institute for Labor Studies at the University of Amsterdam, accessible at www.loonwijzer.nl. HBO designation indicates workers in a technician role with a non-research university degree. Currency conversion based on rate on December 31, 2010 at 1 EUR = 1.32507 CAD. 8

Where to Recruit Employers can recruit effectively at the national level in the Netherlands. Geographically, the Netherlands is a small country with an area of 41,500 sq. km., roughly eight times the size of the Calgary Economic Region. Its population density is 51 per cent higher than that of the Calgary Region. Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague have the largest number of engineering business establishments and are all good locations from which to perform recruiting activities. 15 Royal Dutch Shell, the world s second largest energy company, is headquartered in The Hague. Table 4. Engineering and Technical Services Establishments by Region Regions 2008 2009 2010 Total Netherlands 18,175 19,850 20,675 Municipalities Amsterdam 1,505 1,600 1,665 Rotterdam 1,205 1,280 1,325 s-gravenhage (The Hague) 1,155 1,250 1,295 Utrecht 655 715 770 Eindhoven 680 735 755 Arnhem 470 525 565 Haarlem 450 505 510 Breda 415 465 475 Dordrecht 375 405 0 Groningen 340 390 420 Amersfoort 380 405 420 Leiden 360 380 385 Enschede 300 325 355 s-hertogenbosch 315 345 350 Tilburg 270 305 320 Nijmegen 250 265 275 Apeldoorn 230 255 255 Heerlen 190 220 220 Geleen/Sittard 175 190 195 Maastricht 185 205 195 Zwolle 170 180 185 Leeuwarden 125 145 150 Source: CBS Statline. 15 Occupational labour force statistics in the Netherlands are not collected at the regional or municipal level, but municipal-level information is available on the number of engineering business establishments. 9

Figure 2. Regions of the Netherlands Nes Leeuwarden Groningen Den Burg Den Helder Assen Emmerloord Lelystad Zwolle Haarlem Amsterdam Leiden The Hague Utrecht Amersfoort Apeldoom Enschede Rotterdam Dordrecht Nijmegen Arhnem Hertogenbosch Middleburg Breda Tilburg Eindhoven Geleen/Sittard Masstricht Heerlen 10

www.albertacanada.com/immigration 2012 Government of Alberta Published: August 2012 ISBN Electronic: 978-0-7785-9924-1