{
    "title": "Imec named Belgium\u2019s most attractive employer for 2026",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-22 10:30:41",
    "published_at": "2026-04-22 08:13:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/imec-named-belgiums-most-attractive-employer-for-2026",
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    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "imec-named-belgiums-most-attractive-employer-for-2026",
    "body": "<p><strong>A new survey by HR firm Randstad has named Leuven-based research centre imec as Belgium&rsquo;s most attractive employer for 2026.</strong></p><p>The annual Randstad Employer Brand Research, now in its 26th year, surveyed more than 11,000 people on 195 of the country&rsquo;s largest private employers. This year, the tech sector emerged as a clear winner, reflecting the growing importance of innovation in attracting talent.</p><p>Imec topped the ranking with an attractiveness score of 76.3 per cent, followed by software firm Odoo (73.7 per cent) and pharmaceutical company GSK (73.2 per cent).</p><p>Respondents highlighted cutting-edge technology, strong reputation and competitive pay and benefits as imec&rsquo;s main strengths. The organisation ranked highest among men, older workers and highly educated respondents, while also placing among the top choices for women.</p><p>Randstad notes that Belgian-rooted companies dominate the list, with 11 of the top 20 employers headquartered in the country. This suggests local firms remain highly competitive against multinationals in terms of employer appeal.</p><p>By sector, aviation remains the most attractive private industry, scoring 47.7 per cent, followed by pharmaceuticals, high-tech, IT and consultancy and media. The report also shows a broad recovery across industries, with most sectors improving compared with 2025.</p><p>Salary and benefits remain the top priority for Belgian workers. However, Randstad stresses that competitive pay alone is no longer enough: companies need to invest in leadership and innovation to stand out in the labour market.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>#FlandersNewsService | &copy; BELGA PHOTO SARAH VAN HECKE</sup></p><hr /><p><strong>Related news</strong></p><div id=\"bookmark-2607000f-0dac-4a72-9900-35493decbbaa\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"http://prez.ly/qWhd\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2Fdd55f451-4d82-4edf-a995-d4dcb76230f9%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=847c7ff0d9ed6b586a33d8bb1c55a29d)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"http://prez.ly/qWhd\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"2607000f-0dac-4a72-9900-35493decbbaa\"\n           >\n                Engineer again most attractive profession for Belgians            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                Engineer is again the most attractive profession for Belgians, just as in 2011 and 2019, shows a new survey with 3,000 respondents by HR service...            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belganewsagency.eu%2Fengineer-again-most-attractive-profession-for-belgians&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency.eu        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n<div id=\"bookmark-b028c32a-9eab-428f-b947-170602f2546c\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"http://prez.ly/um9d\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2F59bb22f7-b892-45aa-b5b2-4cd4e5dc285b%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=e1252720ff96f97bea0a0ab882e71f21)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"http://prez.ly/um9d\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"b028c32a-9eab-428f-b947-170602f2546c\"\n           >\n                Imec installs world\u2019s most advanced chip production machine in Leuven            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                Belgian research centre imec has begun installing the world\u2019s most advanced chip production machine in its cleanroom in Leuven. 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    "links": [
        {
            "description": "Engineer again most attractive profession for Belgians",
            "url": "http://prez.ly/qWhd"
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        {
            "description": "Imec installs world\u2019s most advanced chip production machine in Leuven",
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        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
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