What motivates international workers to leave their country of origin, and what influences their choice of destination? How important is a career in their new place of residence, and what factors help them decide whether to stay, return home or move elsewhere?

These are some of the questions that researchers at Erasmus University in Rotterdam are aiming to answer as part of Link4Skills, a three-year global project focused on bridging the gap between skills supply and demand by promoting international mobility.

In total, 14 institutions from across the world – including in India, Canada and Poland – are taking part in the research, which is supported by the European Union.

Nurses and engineers

This part of the project focuses on non-EU nationals who pursued education beyond secondary school—such as training to become technicians in the construction sector, nurses, engineers or scientists—and are currently living in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Poland.

“You can be working, studying, looking for work, not looking for work, or retired. You could be staying at home and taking care of the children. We are interested in everyone,” said Julia Reinold, a postdoctoral researcher at Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and is “very comprehensive” due to the wide range of topics it covers. “It is important to us that we show migration is not only about work,” Reinold said. “New arrivals are human beings who come with families and want a social life.”

Tolerant locals

The questions range from views on the labour market and employment conditions to the economic situation in the Netherlands, public policy, and social and cultural factors. “For example, we ask whether locals are tolerant and whether it is easy to connect with them,” said Reinold. “The issues are so complex that it is important we cover as much as possible.”

The research team hopes that by the time the project concludes in 2026, policymakers at both national and European levels will recognise that migration is a broad issue with many aspects to consider to attract international workers.

“I hope the authorities will realise that migration is not just about the labour market,” Reinold added. “It is also about the social aspects, about the children. It is not just about work. It is about people.”

To take part in the survey, you must come from outside the EU, live in the Netherlands, Austria, Germany or Poland and have completed some form of post-secondary education (e.g., vocational, professional or academic training).

Take part in the survey here