Opting for Science and Technology

This study focuses on the shortage of graduates in science/technology in the Netherlands. First, the potential reserves of students in science/technology are mapped. Second, the effects of measures to mobilise the reserves are investigated in terms of size and cost effectiveness. Efforts aimed at solving the enormous shortage of higher education graduates in science and technology in the Netherlands should start by evaluating what is available in this area. Research shows that the country's vast resources include considerable reserves of science and technology talent. These reserves comprise students who, although having met the entry requirements, ultimately did not opt for a technical or science study programme. Several measures could mobilise these reserves; some are presented in this article along with the influence they are estimated to have. Although the effect of these measures seems to be substantial, they leave much to be desired in terms of cost effectiveness. Moreover, they are still simulations, and the measures have not (yet) been tested in practice. Therefore, additional (experimental) research on such policy measures continues to be desirable.