VUB-BRIO study day on education and employment in the Flemish periphery
On Friday 1 December, BRIO, the Brussels Information, Documentation and Research Centre at VUB, is hosting a study afternoon on the theme: “How well does education in Brussels match the demand for employment in the Flemish periphery?”
It is sometimes called the Brussels paradox: the capital has both a high number of jobseekers and a high number of unfilled vacancies, because many jobseekers do not have the qualifications that employers demand. The number of jobs for medium- and highly skilled people has increased in recent decades, while many jobseekers in Brussels have at most a secondary diploma. This mismatch between supply and demand also applies to the labour market in the Flemish periphery: many vacancies there remain unfilled, even though there is a large labour reserve in the neighbouring capital. BRIO has examined which sectors offer the most potential for employing low-skilled people in Brussels. There are many vacancies in public services and administration, retail and education, but these too are hard to fill. The issue is therefore not only about formal diploma requirements, but also language differences, mobility problems and perhaps psychological limits.
BRIO was involved in a territorial and social-economic diagnosis of the Brussels-Capital Region, a study in collaboration with the Brussels Studies Institute, and will present the results at a study day. We will then bring stakeholders together to consider how to tap into this potential employment pool.
Programme:
- 13.30 Welcome
- 14.00 Opening words
- 14.10 Explanation of connection between education and labour market
- 15.15 Coffee break
- 15.30 Stakeholder round table
- 16.20 Closing words
- 16.30-17.30 Drink
The explanation of the connection between education and the labour market will be made by BRIO researcher Mathis Saeys. The study day will be moderated by Veerle Weeck and the participants in the round table discussion are:
- Inge Vervloet, team leader Aviato
- Arne Cattrysse, labour market advisor for Brussels at VDAB
- Steve Vanhorebeek, labour market expert at Voka chamber of commerce Flemish Brabant
- Bruno De Lille, general director Sint Goedele Brussel
- Jurgen Wayenberg, general director GO! Brussel
The closing words will be given by Benjamin Dalle, Flemish minister for Brussels Affairs.
Would you like to attend?
The BRIO study afternoon takes place in the P&V building, Koningsstraat 151, 1000 Brussels. Attendance is free, but please register in advance.
Contact
Mathis Saeys, mathis.saeys@vub.be, +32 487 70 97 39
