Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Leuven’s childcare sector faces a shortage with 695 job openings. VDAB, led by Julie Ramaekers, partners with CVO Volt and Hogeschool UCLL to recruit and train candidates via job days.
The childcare sector in the area has a serious problem. There are not enough workers to fill the jobs. According to Julie Ramaekers, team leader for Care & Education at VDAB, last year in 2024, there were 695 job openings for different roles. These roles include supervisors, coordinators, and staff for logistics and administration. This shortage makes childcare one of the top five jobs in demand in the region.
Julie Ramaekers says it is very important to attract more people to this field. Many employers want to hire people who are already trained for childcare jobs. The sector hopes this will help them find more candidates. This way, they can address the urgent staffing needs in all areas of childcare.
How is VDAB addressing the childcare worker shortage in Leuven?
To solve the problem of not enough workers, VDAB has worked with CVO Volt and Hogeschool UCLL to set up a job day. This event is meant to help connect employers with people looking for jobs. It is for trained workers who want to find jobs quickly and for those who are new to childcare but want to learn.
According to authorities, for those without training, the event will share information about education and training programs. These programs can help prepare them for careers in childcare. They mentioned that by offering job opportunities and training options, this partnership aims to strengthen the workforce. This will help the childcare sector meet its growing needs.
It has been said that at the job day aimed at solving the worker shortage in childcare, employers are taking the chance to interview people on the spot. This helps them find candidates who can quickly fill jobs like supervisors, coordinators, or administrative staff. At the same time, schools like CVO Volt and Hogeschool UCLL are checking participants to see if they are suitable for training programs to become childcare workers.
This event has two goals. It helps meet the immediate need for workers and supports long-term worker development. This way, it aims to create a better solution for the labor challenges in the childcare sector.
Julie Ramaekers talks about what is important when choosing candidates for jobs and training in childcare. One key requirement is physical fitness. This is because childcare work can be demanding. Workers often need to lift children, play actively, and stand for long periods.
She mentioned that another important factor is a good understanding of the Dutch language. This helps workers communicate well with children, parents, and coworkers. In rural areas, having a driver’s license is very helpful. It allows workers to travel between different places and do tasks where public transport is not available. These criteria help ensure that candidates are ready for the challenges in the childcare profession.
Many factors play a role in this: you must be in good physical condition to work in childcare, have a thorough knowledge of Dutch, and a driver’s license is also not an unnecessary luxury, especially in rural areas,
Ramaekers concludes.
