The regional labour market in South Limburg faces major challenges as a result of the climate and energy transition, with a growing structural shortage in the labour market in many technical sectors, a qualitative mismatch between existing and required knowledge and competences, a large upcoming demand for replacement and many uncertainties. With the support of the JTF, these challenges will be addressed by focusing on a raw materials and energy transition towards an energy-neutral, circular and green chemistry economy. Building on the successful start of the Bachelor's programme Circular Engineering at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, UM will expand and improve the educational offer at academic level by strengthening the ‘circle’ that connects citizens, the labour market and current societal challenges. The research into the shortages in the labour market in the region by the Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA) of the UM was the inspiration for the development of the field of sustainable technology and is still the driving force behind our goal as a committed citizen partner in the Limburg landscape. Together with our regional partners, we have chosen to focus on a larger overarching programme, coordinated by the successful project teams in JTF track 3 with a specific contribution to the 'Transition Academy South Limburg', aimed at strengthening the South Limburg network infrastructure for development and training in the context of the climate transition. In this context, this project will strengthen the circle that connects society, innovation and industry in South Limburg by broadening the curriculum and facilities of the existing bachelor's programme Circular Engineering with an improved learning line mechanical engineering and production engineering, and by deepening the engineering offer by developing a new master's programme of 24 months in sustainable engineering. This Master's programme focuses on the materials and waste economy and the raw material transition of chemical industry. This application also focuses on strengthening the labour market by building a framework for professionalization and integration of engineering students within the South Limburg labour market, and the structured opening up of engineering education opportunities to other education providers, SMEs and wider industrial networks in South Limburg.
