The Belgian Ministry of Defense has ambitious plans to bring onboard 4,010 new personnel in the upcoming year. This recruitment drive aims to fill a variety of roles, with the majority,

approximately 2,500 positions, designated for military personnel. Additionally, the ministry is actively seeking 460 civilian employees and 1,050 reservists to join its ranks.

During a recent press conference, Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder emphasized the ministry's commitment to reflecting the diversity of society. She pointed out that certain roles, particularly administrative ones, may not necessarily require military personnel, making civilians a valuable asset for such tasks.

A significant focus of this recruitment effort will be directed toward attracting individuals with technical expertise. Margot Van Waeyenberghe, the ministry's spokesperson, highlighted the current high demand for technical professionals in the labor market, a trend that extends to the Ministry of Defense. The ministry is actively seeking technical talents across all levels, ranging from mechanics to engineers.

To incentivize technical professionals, the Ministry of Defense has introduced a program enabling individuals who are starting or completing a technical bachelor's degree to have their education expenses covered by the department. The condition is that these individuals commit to serving in the army for at least one and a half times the duration of their studies.

Looking forward, the Ministry of Defense has set ambitious recruitment targets. Starting in 2025, the ministry aims to enlist 2,800 military personnel annually. By 2030, their goal is to have a workforce of 29,000 employees, marking an increase from the current workforce of approximately 27,000.

Minister Dedonder expressed satisfaction with the department's recruitment progress so far, noting a significant interest among young individuals in these positions. Simultaneously, she recognized that many current employees will be retiring in the coming years, making these recruitment initiatives vital in preventing a potential loss of 20% of the workforce due to attrition. Photo by 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command from Grafenwoehr, Germany, Wikimedia commons.