News item | 19-10-2023 | 12:00
The Regional Investment Fund for MBO (RIF) completed the second application round of 2023 this week. The fund makes €8.5 million available for nine projects that strengthen cooperation between vocational education and the labor market in the region. The projects focus on social challenges, including in the areas of healthcare and technology. In the spring, an amount of €10 million was awarded to ten projects during the first round.
Minister Dijkgraaf: “These projects give MBO students the opportunity to work with the latest technologies and innovations during their training. This knowledge and experience is desperately needed at a time of major social challenges.”
Innovative solutions for social challenges
The projects offer innovative solutions, for example in healthcare, housing and ICT. For example, the ZorgTechNext project encourages the use of new technologies in healthcare, which allows care to become more personalized and improve the self-reliance of clients. It also focuses on training MBO students who learn to work with innovative solutions. At a time when the aging population and healthcare needs are increasing, this is a valuable initiative to improve quality of life and address staff shortages in the healthcare sector.
Industrial Production with Wood deals with the growing challenges in the wood technology sector, such as sustainable housing construction and technological changes. The project aims to train more professionals in wood technology, which is necessary given the increasing need for qualified personnel.
The ICT sector is a growing sector in which new developments are constantly taking place. The ICT Expertise Center wants to strengthen the bridge between vocational education and the ICT labor market. The project focuses on innovating ICT education, training professionals and increasing opportunities for recent graduates in the ICT sector.
Investing in education and the labor market
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has invested through the Regional Investment Fund (RIF) to improve the connection between MBO and the labor market. Partnerships of schools, employers and regional authorities can apply at two times a year. An independent assessment committee advises the Minister of Education, Culture and Science on awarding subsidies from the fund.