Bicycle repairer and occupational therapist added to list of shortage professions | News

In 2021, VDAB received more than 360,000 vacancies, which is twice as many as in 2020. At the same time, the job-seeker rate was the lowest since 2008. “We are in a very different situation than a year ago,” reports Minister Crevits. that the economy has grown a lot, but the biggest problem is the mismatch between the job seeker and the vacancies that are open.” According to the minister, jobseekers often have a different profile than what is being asked.

The minister wants to focus on the three branches that are overrepresented in the top ten: the construction sector, the cleaning sector and the healthcare sector. “For the healthcare sector, training will be offered for people without a diploma,” says Crevits, “The great thing is that at the end of the training they will actually have a diploma in their hands.” The minister will also consult with the construction sector to see how they can get the right technical profiles to work as quickly as possible through education or on-the-job training. Finally, there is also the cleaning sector, where we hope to get people to work immediately through internships or vocational training, reports Minister Crevits.

In addition to the fixed values ​​in the list, such as ICT profiles, teachers and butchers, VDAB also sees a number of newcomers. Bicycle repairers and occupational therapists are new. Other notable new entrants include DIY store sales, sporting goods sales and flower and plant sales. “The corona effect plays a role here,” says Crevits. “The demand for DIY materials, leisure items and flowers has risen sharply during the pandemic.”

The VDAB will also do everything in its power to make the shortage professions less restrictive. That is why they organize free training for many of these professions. Job seekers who want to follow recognized training are entitled to a number of benefits, such as the retention of unemployment benefits, a mobility allowance and childcare. In this way, the VDAB hopes to find as many matches as possible between employer and employee.

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