Belgium’s labour market is tight, with plentiful job vacancies and few available workers, meaning finding good employees is becoming increasingly difficult for employers. Companies are lowering their demands for the diplomas of new employees in hopes of filling more vacancies.
In June, Belgium reached a record number of vacancies. One of the main reasons companies fail to attract workers is the high demand for people with several diplomas and language skills, even for lower-skilled jobs.
Companies are now adjusting their requirements. “We see less stringent requirements at almost all levels,” said employers’ federation VOKA. “Where in the past at least a Master’s degree was required, now a bachelor’s also suffices. In technical professions, a short, specific training is sometimes enough.”
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Meanwhile, the demand for professional and technically trained personnel is increasing, according to VOKA Antwerp and Waasland director Nadia Werkers. “Hairdressers are quickly retrained to become maintenance personnel, to become a welder a short(er) course at Syntra is sufficient,” Werkers points out.
In addition, companies are often willing to provide additional training themselves. “So if you’re looking for a job: definitely take a look and have a conversation, even if you don’t have the right diploma. If companies notice that you have sufficient willingness and capacity to learn, there is a chance that they will be happy to hire you,” Werkers concluded.
