CONNECT

The impact of technology on the way to 2025

To gain insight into how technology will affect the Netherlands on the way to 2025, Techniek Nederland, Wij Techniek, TVVL, ISSO, KIEN, PIT and KvINL carried out a study into the future outlook. 

Following previous studies in 2004 and 2010 under the name Radar, CONNECT 2025 is the third study into the future outlook for the Netherlands and the installation sector. The study was conducted by TNO and Panteia from January to December 2017, and relied on extensive trend analyses, dozens of interviews with experts, and inspiring meetings with more than 200 experts from organizations both inside and outside the sector. 

The Techathons that Techniek Nederland organized in 2019, 2021 and 2022 fit in seamlessly with the studies CONNECT2025. SCENARIO2040, CONNECT2030. During the Techathon, companies work together with students with CONNECT2025 SCENARIO2040, CONNECT2030.

The themes of the Techathons fit perfectly within the major social developments in which the technical sector plays a crucial role. The chosen approach, with teams of companies working together with students, reflects the great importance of collaboration between business and education to find solutions to the major challenges we face.

In short, the Techathon is exactly what CONNECT2025, SCENARIO2040 and CONNECT2030 stand for!

The technical sector’s view on 2040

The scenario study SCENARIO2040 was published in February 2020. The study develops future visions using ideas from both experts and stakeholders, as well as society. The scenarios outline  possible future visions of society in 2040 and the technical sector’s role.

SCENARIO2040 forms a basis for discussion within and between technical sector companies and with other parties, including government agencies, trade associations, educational bodies and chain partners. A discussion on the consequences of innovations, new applications of technology, problems resulting from this and finally, possible solutions - in relation to the outlined scenarios. As the aim is to connect with other sectors, the target group is intentionally more extensive than the technical sector alone.

This research was conducted by Panteia and De Ruijter Strategie on behalf of Techniek Nederland, in collaboration with its strategic partners Wij Techniek, ISSO and TVVL.

The importance of future agility for the Netherlands and its technical sector

To gain and maintain an overview of the most important developments for the Netherlands and the technical sector on the way to 2030, Techniek Nederland, Wij Techniek, ISSO and TVVL conducted a new future outlook study.

From June 2021 to July 2022, TNO and Panteia conducted a study on behalf of the technical sector, supplemented and supported by a team of experts from the sector itself. CONNECT2030 is based on extensive trend analyses, dozens of expert interviews and 6 sounding board sessions with more than 150 experts from organisations within and outside the sector. In this edition, the international perspective and opinions of young people in the Netherlands are given extra attention.

In addition to the overarching theme ‘FUTURE AGILITY’, five themes have been identified that have the greatest impact on the technical sector and its role in the Netherlands as we head towards 2030.

‘Energy everywhere at all times'

About the immense challenge, the careful deployment of all options and the importance of coordination and cooperation.

‘Healthy, clean and safe'

About finding a balance within limits, improving and organising better and the collective awareness of change.

‘Circular world’

About the limits to growth and the opportunities behind this comprehensive challenge.

‘Mature digitalisation’

About digitalisation everywhere, the next acceleration and about joining in or getting left behind.

‘Human capital’

About unprecedented labour shortages, new ways of really enthusing and engaging professionals and about new sources of manpower.

We propose that FUTURE AGILITY plays a central role in the mindset for CONNECT2030. It forms the overarching theme that helps government authorities, organisations and businesses prepare for the inevitable uncertainties presented by complex systems and intertwined challenges. It is about accepting that the future cannot be accurately predicted, but that an organisation can prepare for a very different reality compared to the present world.