of Photonics Technologies: the European Perspective The Leverage Effect

The Leverage Effect of Photonics Technologies: the European Perspective
a more coordinated European approach might be more beneficial and
effective in the use of resources.
The following recommendations are to be made:
● Initiate new demonstration projects in photonics markets where the
economy of scale and creation of a positive “image” can reduce the
important barriers for full market development.
● Ensure funding of research in photonics areas where this pipeline is
crucial for the survival of companies. Also funding of other areas can
initiate new competitive business start-ups.
● Coordinate innovation policy on a European level to maintain the
strong European position in regard to other world regions.
7.8
Create an active policy to
ensure the availability of
highly skilled personnel
Close to the active participation of governments in photonics related
innovation policy, is the creation of an active policy on education. It
is clear that various trends are undermining the availability of highly
skilled personnel for the photonics industry. Not only the brain drain,
but other demographic trends on ageing are both qualitatively and
quantitatively changing the characteristics of the labour force. Next to
the increase of industrial activities, older personnel and tensions on the
labour markets will make it harder for the industry to recruit adequately
skilled personnel. Being a high tech and innovative industry, this is
crucial for the industry to survive.
The recommendation is therefore made that:
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● An initiative is implemented to get more high skilled personnel educated
for the photonics industry. Students participating in science
and engineering degree courses at university should undertake at