At Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen Region, Renate Bouwman works as a labour market strategist at The Economic Board to foster a future-proof labour market. Renate is not a traditional policymaker. She is a builder and a connector. Her work centres on bringing people, sectors and opportunities together to make the region stronger and more resilient.
Since 2021, Renate has been closely involved in establishing the Human Capital Labour Market cluster. She helped to develop the Human Capital Agenda, finalise the Human Capital Agreement and submit a Regio Deal application. She now works in an enthusiastic team dedicated to talent development, collaboration and labour market strength in the region. She says: “I get my energy from pioneering. From building something that didn’t exist before, setting out on a journey of discovery and forging sustainable partnerships.” 
Renate Bouwman
Regional cooperation as a common thread
What makes Renate unique is her vision on cooperation. She firmly believes in the triple helix model: government, education and entrepreneurs as equal partners. "You only get real movement when all parties work together. On your own, you won't make it." That is why she does not focus on short-term projects, but on building structural partnerships in this region. For instance, she is currently working on:
- A collaboration with Health Valley to develop an innovative regional programme for the healthcare sector;
- The further development of the Lifeport Welcome Centre, which it says could be used more widely than just for international talent:
“Why not also welcome people who once left the region and would like to return? We’d love to tap into that untapped potential.”
She is also involved in the Internship Pact for vocational students, which focuses on fair internship allowances and retaining talent in the region. And she works behind the scenes as a strategic adviser on programmes such as the Energy Talent Plan.
Create your own dream job
Besides her work for The Economic Board, Renate runs her own agency, De Droombaanfabriek, with which she helps organisations, teams and employees work from their talents and find work that really suits them.
"Enjoyment in your work leads to success - not the other way around."
According to Renate, the key to sustainable employability lies in discovering and utilising your own talents. “You don’t have to be good at everything. Find colleagues who complement you, and you’ll strengthen one another. Diverse teams are demonstrably more successful than homogeneous teams,” she says.
Her message to young professionals is clear: you can create your own dream job, as long as you’re prepared to put your talents first. As she puts it herself:
"Dream jobs don't exist. You create them yourself by connecting your talents to work."
Renate's tips to recharge
Even a strategic thinker and coach needs a break now and then. For Renate, these are her favourite places to recharge her batteries:
Sardinia (Italy)
“An island with a mysterious interior, azure-blue seas and few distractions. The ultimate island feeling.”
Sardinia
Oosterbeek (Gelderland)
“Close to home, but with hills, streams and old country estates where you can imagine yourself in another world for a while. A lovely place to go for a walk and unwind.”
