Starters suffer the most of the current economic situation. FNV (one of the biggest trade unions in the Netherlands) talks about a lost generation: “Smart, young, social, but no job”. It will be more difficult for people older than 20 years old to find a job, as long as this econmic situation excists. The fact that youngsters have a lack of workexperience is a problem to enter the labourmarket. Companies don’t want to invest a lot of time and money in new staff. An employer chooses an experienced employee, no guidance is needed. For starters it is important to get a clear focus of the own chances/talents, sometimes \their chances are more broaden than one thinks. But the unemployment increases and the number of jobs decreases.

Of course is starting an own company a challenge/chance. For the region of ‘s-Hertogenbosch there are chances in the following sectors: technique, business administration, care, food, health and farma. In discussions with representatives of employers and employersassociations and with the magement of schools we are working on a better connection between the demands on the labourmarket and the focus on educational training with perspectives.