What is a shortage occupation?
Shortage occupations are jobs for which the minister has recognised a structural shortage of manpower on the labour market; they’re also known as high-demand occupations. Every two years, a list of these occupations is by published in a Ministerial Order.
The latest list of shortage occupations is valid from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023.
When is an occupation a shortage occupation?
On the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent, every shortage occupation is described with details including:
- basic activities
- the knowledge required
- the skills required (cognitive, problem-solving and motor skills)
- environmental and activity contexts
- autonomy
- responsibilities
- any legally required and/or additional certificates and entry conditions.
Not sure whether your position qualifies as a shortage occupation? Use the descriptions on the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent as reference points.
Not a shortage occupation?
Does it look as though your job is not a shortage occupation? Submit your application for a work permit in the ‘Other’ category . Your application must demonstrate that it is impossible to find a suitable employee in the labour market within a reasonable period of time. The Flemish Service for Employment and Vocational Training (VDAB) will also examine the labour market.
Summary list of shortage occupations
This summary overview of shortage occupations shows the most important skills and tasks for each function.
Truck driver – Semi-trailer
- You drive a truck:
- to pick up loads
- to transport loads
- to deliver loads.
- While doing this, you respect the:
- quality procedures
- safety regulations
- statutory provisions.
- You have a CE driver’s licence.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Truck driver – Full-trailer trucks
- You drive a truck:
- to pick up loads
- to transport loads
- to deliver loads.
- While doing this, you respect the:
- quality procedures
- safety regulations
- statutory provisions.
- You have a CE driver’s licence.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Truck driver – Rigid truck
- You drive a truck:
- to pick up loads
- to transport loads
- to deliver loads.
- While doing this, you respect the:
- quality procedures
- safety regulations
- statutory provisions.
- You have a C driver’s licence.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Operator – Construction-site machines
- You drive and operate construction-site machines to perform the following tasks:
- excavation work
- earthmoving
- ground compaction
- minor hoisting assignments and/or moving materials such as:
- earth
- gravel
- rocks
- stones
- sand
- prefabricated building components
- pipes.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Crane operator
Mobile crane operator:
- You drive and operate a mobile crane.
- You hoist and move loads on construction sites.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Tower-crane operator
- You operate a specific type of hoist on a construction site:
- from the ground
- from the operating cabin.
- You transport various types of loads with the crane.
- You operate a specific type of hoist on a construction site:
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Maintenance mechanic
- You perform preventative maintenance on industrial machines, installations and systems to:
- guarantee their expected lifespan
- maintain, adapt or improve their functionality in terms of:
- performance
- reliability
- availability
- safety.
- You plan and perform the following types of maintenance and tasks:
- corrective
- preventative
- predictive
- adjustment.
Read the specific data sheets on the pages maintenance mechanic and maintenance technician of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Maintenance mechanic of commercial vehicles and trucks
You ensure the roadworthiness of heavy commercial vehicles for the transport of goods and passengers.
You perform complex diagnostics and tasks that combine:electricity
electronics
mechanics
hydraulics
pneumatics.
You follow safety regulations and related rules at all times.
Read the specific datasheets on the pages Passenger car and light commercial vehicle maintenance, Technical maintenance of heavy-duty vehicles for goods and passenger transport and General mechanics of heavy commercial vehicles of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Vehicle technician
You ensure vehicles are roadworthy by performing maintenance and rapid service interventions:
inspections
repairs
replacements.
While doing this, you always respect safety regulations and rules.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Technician for construction, farming and lifting-machinery
- You ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles for the following industries:
- construction
- goods handling
- agriculture
- horticulture.
- You perform complex diagnostics and tasks that combine:
- electricity
- electronics
- mechanics
- hydraulics
- pneumatics.
- You follow safety regulations and related rules at all times.
Read the specific data sheets on the pages Technician – Forklifts, Technician – Construction machines and Technician – Farming and professional gardening machines of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Electrical-cabinet builder
- You assemble electrical or electromechanical components for:
- cabinets
- equipment
- carriers such as frames and boards.
- You connect components in line with (safety) rules.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Industrial electro-technical fitter/Industrial installation technician /Industrial automation technical designer/Industrial automation technician
- You set up electrical installations in accordance with AREI/RGEI regulations (General Regulations for Electrical Installations):
- assembling and installing wiring and boxes
- pulling wires and cables
- installing electrical components and connecting them to different boards.
- You assemble and install systems for:
- home electronics
- ventilation
- lighting.
- You connect the above systems to each other or a network.
- You assemble and install the following in buildings for private or professional use on the basis of plans and instructions:
- wiring
- ducts
- appliances
- accessories.
- You take care of and maintain the operation of processor-controlled production and process lines and/or products.
- You take into account the required specifications of every product.
- You ensure installations continue to operate safely and reliably.
Read the specific datasheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure:
- electro-technical fitter
- electrical technician
- industrial electro-technical fitter
- building automation installer fitter
- industrial automation technician
- technical installation fitter.
And on the pages Install and maintain industrial installations and Install electrical and telecommunication networks on the Competent website.
Data-communication-network installation technician
You guarantee the availability and operation of the components of devices and installations connected via a network:
- electrical installations
- sensors
- components
- systems
- networks.
You do the following:
- install
- configure
- optimise
- repair.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Maintenance electrician/electronic installation technician/Technician for the inspection of electricity and electronics
- You maintain installations and equipment on the basis of:
- work instructions
- electrical plans and schematics.
- You help to track down disruptions and malfunctions.
- You repair electrical components in installations.
- You carry out preventative maintenance actions on industrial machines, installations and systems in order to:
- guarantee their expected lifespan
- maintain, adapt or improve their functionality in terms of:
- performance
- reliability
- availability
- safety.
- You plan and perform the following types of actions:
- corrective
- preventative
- predictive
- configurative.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Maintenance technician for heating systems/central-heating-system fitter
- You commission the following systems in the buildings of professionals and private individuals, and fine-tune and maintain them:
- heating systems
- ventilation systems
- air-conditioning systems
- sanitary installations.
- You select and fit installations for:
- water, sewerage and gas
- distribution of liquids and gases.
- You:
- check
- repair
- adjust settings
- carry out measurements
- maintain
- optimise.
- You follow the safety rules and legislation at all times.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Pipe-fitter
- You make parts for pipelines that transport liquids and gases using:
- metal pipes
- synthetic pipes
- fittings such as taps, valves and seals.
- You assemble each part on site according to the instructions, production requirements and given specifications.
- You perform all work preparations:
- on-site measurements of pipe installations
- conversion of measurements into isometric diagrams
- compilation of material and cutting lists.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Residential electro-technical fitter
- You are responsible for the electrical installations in buildings for private and professional use. You:
- repair
- maintain
- put company installations into commission.
- You wire and connect installations at very low voltage.
- You follow safety instructions.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Sanitary installation fitter
- You install complete sanitary installations, put them into commission and maintain them:
- prepare all necessary components for installation
- install everything in accordance with safety regulations
- perform repair works.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent .
Chef
- You determine, organise and supervise kitchen activities and the kitchen team in a restaurant or catering company. You:
- develop menus
- prepare and serve dishes
- order products
- prepare hot and cold dishes
- create dishes following the company formula
- brainstorm menu compositions
- prepare technical data sheets
- monitor kitchen processes
- organise kitchen operations
- continuously improve the quality of work and meals
- manage stock
- make every effort to prepare quality meals and provide good service.
- You work according to hygiene and food-safety standards.
- You respect quality and budget requirements.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Butcher
- You prepare the following types of products for consumption:
- meat
- mincemeat
- prepared meats
- meat products
- ready-to-eat meals.
- You order, inspect and purchase the meat you need for these tasks.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Baker and/or patissier
- You prepare, handle, process and bake bread products and fine pastries following food safety and hygiene requirements.
- Your additional activities may include selling bread and patisserie products.
Read the specific data sheets on the Competent (in Dutch)(opens in new window) website.
Patient care assistant
- You deliver efficient, high-quality care and support for clients, taking their well-being into account. You:
- monitor their health situation
- support them with daily activities.
- You provide:
- body care
- comfort care
- injury prevention
- health education
- logistical support.
- You are under the supervision of a nurse.
Read the specific data sheets on the websites of the Flemish Qualification Structure and Competent.
Rigger/Assembly technician
- You assemble, dismantle and maintain permanent and temporary metal structures (such as metal trusses, (walking) bridges, tribunal seating, circus tents, etc.) following the relevant safety rules. The parts of these structures are produced in advance and are usually assembled on the ground.
Read the specific data sheets on the Competent website.
Electrical- and electronic-product technician
- You assemble electrical, electro-mechanical and electronic devices, either in part or in full.
- You use hand tools or semi-automatic machines.
- You work following the safety regulations and product requirements (time periods, quality).
- You perform additional activities that may include checking products during or after production, and coordinating a team.
Read the specific data sheets on the Competent website.
CNC machine-tool installation and service technician
- You process and manufacture parts with CNC machines, use machining techniques to produce specific shapes and measurements (surfaces, cylinders, etc.).
- You create single pieces or series.
- You adhere to safety regulations and production requirements (quality, deadlines, etc.).
Read the specific data sheets on the Competent website.
If the function you are looking to fill is on this list, apply to us for a work permit for your future employee.
Contact
- Address
Departement Werk en Sociale Economie
Team arbeidskaartenEllipsgebouw
Koning Albert II laan 35 bus 20, 1030 Schaarbeek, België
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- 02 553 43 00
- arbeidskaart@vlaanderen.be
- Address
Federale Overheidsdienst Binnenlandse Zaken
Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken44 Kubus
Pachecolaan 44, 1000 Brussel, België
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- 02 488 80 00
- infodesk@ibz.fgov.be
- Website
- dofi.ibz.be opens in new window