Approval for Delft Beethoven plans for additional technicians in microchip sector

Educational institutions in South Holland are joining forces to train more technicians for companies in the microchip sector. Over the next five years, they aim for an additional 1,000 engineering students and another 1,000 employees to retrain and upgrade their skills. This ambition is at the heart of the Beethoven South Holland Delft Regional plan. Noteworthy is the integrated effort of three educational sectors: mbo, hbo and wo.

In this first phase (2025-2026), the national government is providing €9.4 million for the South Holland region. A total of €43 million has been earmarked for the Delft plans, in addition to the region's own investment. Ministers Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs) and Eppo Bruins (Education, Culture and Science) announced this in a letter 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 Dutch microchip sector is of great importance to the Dutch economy. ASML is one of the world's leading companies and relies on an extensive network of high-tech suppliers. In addition to an ASML site in Delft, many of these suppliers in the microchip chain are located in South Holland. Companies such as Hittech, Nearfield Instruments, Demcon and dozens of others. The growth of ASML, as well as the growth of all these chain parties, creates a considerable demand for talent. The Beethoven plans address this demand for talent in the microchip sector. In this way, education and industry together contribute to the future economic development of the Netherlands.

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 South Holland (Human Capital Agenda), Innovation Quarter, representatives of microchip companies and the municipality of Delft. The plan is industry-led, as it follows the talent shortage in the semiconductor sector. It involves intensive cooperation with industry and all knowledge institutions in South Holland.

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

• Targeted expansion of education: investment and expansion of education, new mbo and hbo study programmes 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 established, where all educational institutions in South Holland will match their course offerings to the needs of the microchip workforce. There will be cooperation between the public and private education sectors and the business community. The national government has reserved an additional €2.8 million for the further development of these plans.
• Shared semiconductor laboratory facilities: a special clean room 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 result in a significant expansion of the technology sector and at least 2,000 additional employees in the microchip sector. Currently, 50% of Dutch technicians are trained in South Holland. The Beethoven Regioplan Delft will structurally strengthen this position.