Necessary transitions are only possible if the government takes its role
Without good cooperation between the government and the companies in the metal and electrical industry, the Netherlands will not be able to realize the necessary and major transitions in the areas of energy, digitalization and sustainability. This is evident from research that employers and employees from this sector have carried out jointly. They call on the government to provide the necessary preconditions.
The final report 'Metalektro – The key to socio-economic success', carried out by research agencies Roland Berger and SEO, was presented today to outgoing Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate, Micky Adriaansens.
Indispensable link
The final report shows, among other things, that the Metal and Electrical sector is an indispensable link for the major transitions in the areas of energy, digitalization and sustainability that the Netherlands is facing. It is also confirmed that the sectors that are important to our society are largely dependent on the products and services of the Metalektro companies. This includes irradiation equipment for healthcare, heat pumps for construction, irrigation systems for agriculture, radar systems for defense and electric buses and hydrogen trucks for transport.
The report shows that the social importance of the sector will increase even further in the coming years. However, in order to achieve this, the Metalektro sector is dependent on a number of preconditions, in which the government plays a key role. “The predicted economic growth can only be achieved if there is a fair business climate, a strong and reliable infrastructure and constant R&D investments,” says Theo Henrar, chairman of FME on behalf of the employers. “An important precondition is that we train much more technical talent in the Netherlands. Tasks that can only be tackled by the sector and government together,” adds Albert Kuiper on behalf of FNV Metaal. Gertjan Tommel gives on behalf of de Unie to: “The Metal and Electrical Industry is the sector where employees can have a great career and really move up. It offers space for people with low literacy and multiple theoretical training. The value of the sector is about much more than just money.”
Robust future
The employers and employees in the Metalektro industry want to discuss politics quickly. “The sector is asking the government, among other things, to offer companies the stability and predictability to make the necessary investments in sustainability, to facilitate a large and stable electricity network and to structurally invest in scaling up existing technologies,” says Arthur Bot from CNV Vakmensen. The challenges that social transitions entail are great. These are tasks that can only be tackled jointly by the sector and government. “We must take our responsibility ourselves, but to be effective, the Dutch government must also play its role. Only together can we take the steps towards a robust future,” says Amilde Schuur on behalf of VHP2. “By submitting the report, we cordially invite the Dutch government as our partner for the future,” concludes Theo Henrar.
The Metal Electrical sector consists of leading and innovative companies in electrical engineering, metal, transport & mobility and service & maintenance (such as ASML, Damen, Fokker and Stork) and is an important pillar for the Dutch economy. The sector accounts for 6,7% of Dutch GDP, 18% of our exports and 360.000 high-quality jobs.
Download the report here: “Metal electrical, the key to economic success”, riding a
Visit: www.caometalektro.nl
