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East Netherlands invests in talent for the chip sector

From classroom to cleanroom – How Twente and Gelderland are shaping the future of chip technology&nbsp;The demand for chips is growing explosively. They form the building blocks of our digital world – from cars and phones to medical devices and energy networks. Europe wants to become less dependent on production in Asia and is therefore fully committed to developing its own knowledge, innovation, and talent.In the East Netherlands, Twente and the Lifeport Region Arnhem-Nijmegen are joining forces to make that ambition a reality. With semiconductors as one of the key focus areas, education, research, businesses, and governments are working together to address major societal challenges. Together, they are building a future-proof talent plan that puts the Netherlands on the international map.Two new programs – the ChipTech Twente Talent Program and the Lifeport Semicon Talent Program – show how East Netherlands is investing in the talents that will strengthen the European chip sector. We spoke with Michiel van der Harst (The Economic Board Arnhem-Nijmegen) and Wouter van Kooten (ChipTech Twente) about their vision.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1200/627;" src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/Woutern_en_Michiel_bdf8faff92.png" alt="Woutern en Michiel.png" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_Woutern_en_Michiel_bdf8faff92.png 245w,https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_Woutern_en_Michiel_bdf8faff92.png 500w,https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_Woutern_en_Michiel_bdf8faff92.png 750w,https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_Woutern_en_Michiel_bdf8faff92.png 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="627"></figure><h2>Lifeport Semicon Talent Program: Learning in the practice of the chip industry</h2>In August 2025, the Lifeport Semicon Talent Program launched in Arnhem-Nijmegen, an initiative by The Economic Board Arnhem-Nijmegen in collaboration with companies such as NXP, Nexperia, ITEC, and the Noviotech Campus. Hundreds of students gain hands-on experience through company visits and challenge-based learning, guided by professionals from the field.Michiel van der Harst: "The Lifeport region is unique: over fifty semiconductor companies are active here, including global players like NXP, Nexperia, Besi, and Ampleon – together employing around 10,000 people. Our strength lies in connecting education, business, and government, with the Noviotech Campus as the hub. This enables us to build a sustainable ecosystem that uniquely links talent and chip technology."The program aligns with the Human Capital Agreement and the national Talent Plan Semicon, which stems from Project Beethoven, and thus represents an important step in the national and European strategy to address the shortage of technical talent.&nbsp;<h2>ChipTech Twente Talent Program: Training for the chip Industry of tomorrow</h2>Twente is also investing heavily in talent development. The ChipTech Twente Talent Program, coordinated through Twente Board and part of the Microchip Strengthening Plan Twente, focuses on training hundreds of additional professionals for the growing chip industry. ROC van Twente, Saxion, and the University of Twente work together with companies to create a continuous learning pathway aligned with the latest technologies in photonics, quantum, chip design, manufacturing, and packaging.Wouter van Kooten: "In Twente, the human capital approach is partly embedded in Beethoven Twente and the Semicon Learning Center, where education, business, and government work together structurally. For talent attraction, we link up with regional campaigns such as Going Twente and Happy to be in Twente. For talent retention, we focus on good employment practices and an inclusive company culture, with special attention to Women in Technology and the retention of international talent. Additionally, we are connecting the regional Talent Data Knowledge Hub to the national skills and data layer, so that the ChipNL Competence Center can benefit from shared data and monitoring. This way, we contribute not only regionally but also nationally and across Europe to the growth of the semiconductor sector."<h2>What Is needed to make a real impact?</h2>Both men emphasize that building a sustainable and competitive chip sector requires more than isolated projects.Michiel van der Harst: "It’s important that we operate based on clear national agendas such as Beethoven, the National Technology Strategy, and ChipNL, and that we connect these with European programs like the EU Chips Act and IPCEI. Structural funding is also needed to further develop the ecosystem. Finally, I strongly believe in linking with other domains such as health, energy, food, and AI. By developing societal use cases, we can show how semiconductor technology plays a key role in the solutions of the future."Wouter van Kooten: "Three pillars are crucial: joint branding of the sector, connecting international talent, and a community-driven ecosystem. This way, we can make a structural contribution to the growth of the European semiconductor industry. Through the ChipNL Competence Center, we are also working on a unified national approach."<h2>Why collaboration makes the difference</h2>Education, business, and government each play their own role, but only together can the sector truly grow.&nbsp;Michiel van der Harst: "It’s not about isolated projects, but about a shared agenda where everyone has a clear role. That makes collaboration not only valuable but also future-proof. Only together can we take the lead!"Wouter van Kooten: "In Twente, we are building the Semicon Learning Center, where education, business, and research literally come together. Our ambition to train 10,000 additional people can only be realized if we continue to strengthen this collaboration structurally."During the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) in October 2025, East Netherlands will showcase how the region contributes to the European semiconductor sector. On October 14, Think East Netherlands will organize the networking event “Connecting Regional Semiconductor Ecosystems” in Brussels.In East Netherlands, we make chip technology work – for the Netherlands and for Europe.&nbsp; Join us? #MakeChipTechWork&nbsp;