Universities of applied sciences are going to work together with small and medium enterprises to increase the innovative capacity of SMEs. To facilitate this, the Dutch government has launched the innovation traineeship. After an internship as a researcher, college students will also be employed as a researcher in a company. During this entire period, a lecturer from the university of applied sciences is involved in the research of the so-called innovation trainee. The students are also trained in entrepreneurial and management skills.
In the coming months, universities of applied sciences will look for entrepreneurs in their region to place an innovation trainee. After approval of their research plans, the first trainees can start in January next year. The target is to place about two hundred. This will cost 3.9 million euros.
The innovation traineeship is part of the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant that State Secretary Mona Keijzer of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy sent to the Dutch House of Representatives on 11 November 2019. It has been initiated by the top sectors Chemicals, Agri & Food and Logistics, implemented by Regieorgaan SIA (part of NWO).
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