The Netherlands has one of the most skilled and flexible workforces in Europe, and the Dutch are well-known for their language abilities. In 2008, 80% of the population spoke English as a second language, while 44% of the population speaks Dutch and at least two other languages.
Rotterdam has an active workforce of approximately 300,000. Companies that provide business services are the largest employers in the city. Rotterdam has a number of high-quality educational institutions to thank for its well-trained workforce. These include universities and a wide range of vocational training schools. The proximity of these institutions provides an important added value to Rotterdam as a business location.

First, the high standards of education that these educational institutions maintain make them ideal for any academic research that may be required. These institutions are reliable knowledge centers and can also provide expertise on corporate issues.

Also, these centers of knowledge provide a powerful (and flexible) pool of potential labor. Whether a company is looking for trainees, recent graduates or temporary staff, Rotterdam’s schools and universities are full of young people at different educational levels in almost any field businesses need.

The Rotterdam School of Management, offering 3 international MBA programs, has been ranked among the top ten of business schools worldwide. The Delft University of Technology – only 10 km (6 miles) to the north of Rotterdam, in the city of Delft – is home to 16 schools specializing in fields such as technology, economics, business administration, and computer science. Many of the courses are taught in English. These and many other schools ensure a steady stream of highly-trained potential professionals.