Half of Dutch workers get extra training during their careers

The Netherlands is the second best country in Europe when it comes to workers keeping their knowledge level up to standard with courses, training, workshops and conferences. More than half of employed people between 25 and 65 follow a work-related course during his or her career, according to the Adult Education Survey conducted by Statistics Netherlands on behalf of European stats office Eurostat. 

Switzerland came in first place with 58 percent of workers getting additional training, followed by Netherlands with 56 percent. Norway, Sweden and Austria make up the rest of the top five. Romania is at the bottom with only 4 percent. 

The labor market is changing continually due to digitization, new technological developments and increasing flexibility in the way people work, the Statistics Netherlands researchers write. That means that further training to remain relevant is of increasing importance. 

Eight out of ten respondents said they go on courses and the like to improve their work. Half do so to increase their career opportunities. Another important reason for extra training is that their employer or profession demands it of them. Doctors and nurses, for example, receive permanent training to guarantee the quality of care. 

While the differences between men and women taking on additional training are negligible, the stats office did find notable differences between education levels. Two thirds of highly educated workers choose to keep their knowledge up to date, compared to less than a third of workers with a low level of education.