Career paths of Holland alumni
A recent study into the professional careers of Holland alumni shows that their Dutch qualification is a valuable asset on the labour market. Many respondents have a permanent contract with a salary that is above average for the country where they work.
The study, which was part of the Holland Alumni project ‘Focus Neso’, looked at the survey responses of more than 1,500 respondents from countries which have a Nuffic Netherlands Support Office or Desk.
Search year scheme not well known
Most respondents were satisfied with the visa procedures prior to arriving in Holland and with their student life and learning experience.
Many respondents indicated that they would have liked more information on the highly skilled migrant scheme, which allows foreign graduates to spend a period of up to twelve months in Holland to find a job.
Work creates stronger bond with Holland
An interesting finding is that alumni who worked in Holland during their stay are more likely to stay or return at a later stage than those who don’t.
Most of the respondents who stayed in Holland are employed in education and research and are, therefore, directly contributing to the Dutch knowledge economy.
Recommendations
It is important to retain international students for the Dutch labour market and to attract alumni to return to Holland for work. The report recommends better information provision on incentive programmes such as the abovementioned scheme and opportunities for alumni to stay in or return to Holland.
New developments
A new development in this respect is that the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation has commissioned Nuffic to set up a business and career web portal, that will act as a central point for international students and Holland alumni to find information on staying in or returning to Holland for career purposes.
Another step in the right direction is the Huygens Talent Circle career event on 21 April 2012. The event Moving Forward will provide current international students and Holland alumni with information on starting a career in the Netherlands or abroad.