The Netherlands is facing a serious shortfall of skilled craftsmen, from plumbers and carpenters to piano tuners, says the Dutch board for craft trades in a new report.

In particular, people living outside the big cities will find it increasingly difficult to get hold of craftsmen because fewer youngsters are taking up manual professions, the report says.
Within the next nine years, 226,000 craftsmen are set to retire and action is needed to make sure young people are attracted to the sector.
‘The crisis is camouflaging the underlying problems, board chairman Elrie Bakker said. Jobs are disappearing but it will soon be difficult to fill vacancies, she says.
Between now and 2021, 250,000 people will have to take up a trade to ensure the quality of life in the Netherlands is not affected.
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