As programme manager within the Human Capital team of The Economic Board, Adam Galijašević plays a key role in addressing labour market issues in the Lifeport Region Arnhem - Nijmegen. From a connecting position, he works daily to strengthen cooperation between education, government and business.
A changing role with strategic weight
Adam’s role as programme manager has evolved over time. Whereas there used to be a clear distinction between strategy and implementation, his current role brings both worlds together. “As programme manager, I am responsible for achieving our objectives, but also for setting the strategic direction,” Adam explains.
He is the public face of the Human Capital Agreement, drives the team towards results and monitors progress for stakeholders and funding bodies. “We don’t draw up plans on paper, but develop concrete interventions that help the region move forward,” Adam emphasises. 
Adam Galijašević
Future-oriented vision: from semicon to energy transition
Among other things, Adam oversees the Semicon Talent Plan and the Energy Talent Plan – two programmes designed to address the shortage of (technical) talent in the region. Whilst the Semicon programme has already been successfully launched, the model is now being adapted for the energy sector.
During Arnhem Electricity Week in May 2025, it was announced that an Energy Talent Plan is on the way. “The energy sector is crucial to the transition in which the Lifeport region is leading the way,” he says. “Together with partners such as the Province of Gelderland, the business community and educational institutions, we are now taking steps to get more young people interested in STEM courses, improve the link between education and industry, and retain professionals in the workforce in the long term.”
“We have a strong message: this region is contributing to the energy transition in the Netherlands and Europe. Now it is time for The Hague to contribute to this region too,” says Adam.
In the coming months, the focus will be on mobilising the regional ecosystem and attracting national investment in semiconductors and energy. Because only with national support and regional cooperation can the objectives of the Human Capital Agreement be achieved. “That is essential to making a real impact.”
What drives him: realising system leaps
What motivates Adam to do this work? “I get a real buzz from bringing people together who initially think they can’t work together,” he explains. “We’re like an outboard motor, so to speak: we provide momentum, acceleration and connection.”
Adam finds it particularly rewarding when collaboration leads to system-changing initiatives. “The best thing is when the education sector and the business world truly find common ground, despite differing interests and ways of communicating. That’s when innovative solutions emerge, such as a practoraat or a skills-based match programme.”
Ultimately, Adam hopes that collaboration partners will take ownership independently and work together towards shared goals. Working together for the common good. That, he believes, is when the mission is a success.
Where vision and music meet
Adam sometimes draws inspiration from music and a quote that typifies him well comes from Bob Marley:
"No more internal power struggle; we come together to overcome a little trouble."
“For me, it’s all about collaboration, not silos or competition,” says Adam. “That’s the only way to make real progress.”
Holiday tips with content
A busy programme manager needs to relax and recharge from time to time. Adam is happy to share two holiday tips that might inspire you:
- A tour of the Balkans and the former Yugoslavia
“That’s where my roots lie. You’ll find everything there: nature, culture, history and hospitality,” says Adam.
Photo credit: Rakicevic Nenad - Jamaica
“A surprisingly rich country, full of stories. From its history of slavery to the Rastafarian philosophy, that country exudes resilience,” says Adam. “And it’s simply beautiful too: the nature, the people, the atmosphere.”
Photo credit: Ranteen Dixon
Both destinations, according to Adam, show how communities can free themselves from oppression, and how culture and history are intertwined with identity. "That touches me. For me, that's the ideal holiday: relaxation and deepening."
