It’s challenging, exciting and a job in the military brings people together. That is what Anne (16) and de Moreno (17) think. They recently followed the Safety and Craftsmanship (VEVA) training at Curio in Teteringen and they are lucky to have been admitted. A job in the armed forces is hugely in demand. The training even lacks internships.
The war in Ukraine plays an important role in this, but Anne chose the course for a different reason. “I’ve always wanted to do this. It is sometimes tough, but the challenge and the collaboration with a group is really my thing,” she says.
“I have no fear of being sent out.”
Still, the threatening language from Moscow does keep the young students busy: “The war is close, so of course you think about it,” says first-year student Moreno. “It doesn’t scare me. I don’t fear being sent out either. But first I have to complete the VEVA training and then I can think about it further.”
VEVA is aimed at students who would like to become a military officer but are too young to apply directly to the military. At the moment 181 students are taking the course, but that could easily have been 230. “Unfortunately, we have to say no more and more often because there are only a limited number of internships at Defense”, says education manager Kirsten Bos.
“A job in defense is also a safe choice.”
She has another explanation for the popularity of the training: The high inflation and the unclear economic situation. “We have not conducted any research into this, but you often see that in times of crisis, young people are more likely to opt for a government position. In that sense, a job in defense is also a safe choice.”
With more than 3.5 thousand unfilled vacancies in the armed forces, MBO schools are faced with a serious challenge. Because in addition to the limited number of internships, the armed forces also do not have enough instructors to supervise the students. “We can handle it now, but if we had to run even more classes, it’s no longer doable,” said Sergeant Major Erik.
“My ambition really lies in leadership.”
Anne and Moreno are ‘lucky students’, according to Kirsten Bos. About forty percent of the students eventually go on to work in the military. Anne has determined to be part of that group. After her MBO studies, she wants to continue on to the NCO training of the army. “My ambition really lies in leadership.”
