Engineering Labour Force in the Netherlands

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 graduates3 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.
bid.
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
2
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 proficiency7 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 nonEuropean 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
Engineering Managers
Engineering Managers, Techniek Managers, 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
Professional Organizations
The Royal Institute of Engineering in the
Netherlands (KIVI NIRIA)
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.
The Royal Institute of Engineering in the
Netherlands (KIVI NIRIA)
Architecture-Related Occupations
Architectural Technologists and
Technicians
Bouwingenieur (Structural Engineer), Bouwtechnoloog (Building
Technologist) Assistant Architects or Jr. Architects, Architectural
Project Managers. BBE (Bachelor’s in the Built Environment)
Drafting Technologists and Technicians
Tekenaar (Draftsmen), or computerondersteund ontwerp
(Computer Aided Design), Gebouw laden (Building Drawers), or
Technisch tekenaar (Technical Draftsman).
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.
MTS eletrotechniek or MBO eletrotechniek
Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Electronic Service Technicians
Electronic Service Technicians
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
44
N/A
N/A
Geologist, Geochemists and
Geophysicists
2114 Geologists and geophysicists
Civil Engineers
2142 Civil engineers
31,770
3.6
38
€44,296
$58,695
Mechanical Engineers
2145 Mechanical engineers
26,774
3.1
50
N/A
N/A
2143 Electrical engineers
15,302
1.7
44
€38,945
$57,982
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
2144 Electronics and
telecommunications engineers
10,474
1.2
62
€43,758
$51,605
Chemical Engineers
2146 Chemical engineers
7,823
0.9
44
€42,878
$56,816
2,988
0.3
48
N/A
N/A
2147 Mining engineers, metallurgists
and related professionals
2,329
0.3
44
€47,907
$63,480
2149 Architects, engineers and related
professionals not classified elsewhere
74,371
8.5
39
N/A
N/A
3111 Chemical and physical science
technicians
31,969
3.6
33
N/A
N/A
3,492
0.4
44
N/A
N/A
996
0.1
48
N/A
N/A
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
N/A
N/A
7243 Electronics mechanics and
servicers
22,790
2.6
34
€34,567
$45,804
3118 Draughtspersons
50,610
5.8
57
N/A
N/A
3119 Physical and engineering science
technicians not classified elsewhere
37,102
4.2
57
N/A
N/A
6,474
0.7
44
N/A
N/A
All Engineers
171,831
19.6
44
€42,964
$57,384
All Engineer Technicians and Technologists
212,139
24.2
48
€38,536
$51,063
All Engineering Occupations
390,444
44.6
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 €44,000
($48,700 to $58,200 CAD).
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.
14
7
Table 3. Average Annual Income in
the Netherlands by Experience Level, 2010
5 Years’ Exp
10 Years’ Exp
20 Years’ Exp
30 Years’ Exp
Average
Annual
Income
NonManager
Manager
NonManager
Manager
NonManager
Manager
NonManager
Manager
Civil Engineer
€44,296
$58,695
€35,071
$46,472
€41,549
$55,055
€40,321
$53,428
€47,769
$63,297
€48,709
$64,543
€57,706
$76,464
€52,189
$69,154
€61,829
$81,928
Electronics Engineer
€38,945
$51,605
€30,633
$40,591
€36,291
$48,088
€35,218
$46,666
€41,724
$55,287
€42,545
$56,375
€50,404
$66,789
€45,585
$60,403
€54,005
$71,560
Electrical Engineer
€43,758
$57,982
€34,418
$45,606
€40,775
$54,030
€39,570
$52,433
€46,879
$62,118
€47,802
$63,341
€56,632
$75,041
€51,217
$67,866
€60,677
$80,401
Chemical Engineer
€42,878
$56,816
€33,726
$44,689
€39,956
$52,944
€38,775
$51,380
€45,937
$60,870
€46,841
$62,068
€55,494
$73,533
€50,188
$66,503
€59,458
$78,786
Mining Engineer
€47,907
$63,480
€37,681
$49,930
€44,642
$59,154
€43,322
$57,405
€51,324
$68,008
€52,335
$69,348
€62,002
$82,157
€56,074
$74,302
€66,431
$88,026
Other Engineer
€70,449
$93,350
€55,777
$73,908
€66,080
$87,561
€64,127 €75,972 €77,468 €91,778
$84,973 $100,668 $102,651 $121,612
Civil Engineering
€39,411
$52,222
€31,043
$41,134
€35,765
$47,391
€35,494
$47,032
€40,893
$54,186
€43,050
$57,044
€49,559
$65,669
€47,246
$62,604
€54,433
$72,128
Electrical Engineering
€36,774
$48,728
€28,869
$38,253
€33,260
$44,072
€33,009
$43,739
€38,030
$50,392
€40,036
$53,051
€46,126
$61,120
€43,937
$58,220
€50,621
$67,076
Mechanical Engineering
€43,961
$58,251
€32,726
$43,364
€37,704
$49,960
€37,419
$49,583
€43,111
$57,125
€45,384
$60,137
€52,288
$69,285
€49,808
$65,999
€57,384
$76,038
Industrial Mechanics
€34,567
$45,804
€29,165
$38,646
€33,702
$44,658
€34,208
$45,328
€39,530
$52,380
€43,012
$56,994
€49,703
$65,860
€47,965
$63,557
€55,427
$73,445
Employees
Professionals
€83,002 €98,334
$109,983 $130,299
Technicians
Self-Employed
Civil Engineers
€62,870
$83,307
*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
18,175
19,850
20,675
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
440
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
Total Netherlands
Municipalities
Source: CBS Statline.
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.
15
9
Figure 2. Regions of the Netherlands
Nes
Leeuwarden
Groningen
Den Burg
Assen
Den Helder
Emmerloord
Lelystad
Haarlem
Zwolle
Amsterdam
Apeldoom
Leiden
Amersfoort
Utrecht
The Hague
Arhnem
Rotterdam
Nijmegen
Dordrecht
Hertogenbosch
Breda
Tilburg
Middleburg
Eindhoven
Geleen/Sittard
Heerlen
Masstricht
10
Enschede
www.AlbertaCanada.com/immigration
©2012 Government of Alberta Published: August 2012
ISBN Electronic: 978-0-7785-9924-1