A new director arrives at VDAB; his predecessor, dismissed for misconduct, finds a job in the administration

Yves Demaeght, 60, is set to lead the VDAB, Flanders' regional employment agency, starting September 1st. Demaeght brings a wealth of experience from both the private sector, including roles at Alcatel and KPMG, and public service, notably as a crisis manager for the Flemish Agency Opgroeien during a childcare crisis.

He also serves as an independent director at VRT and is known for his lack of political affiliation, according to Flemish Minister of Employment Zuhal Demir. Demaeght faces the immediate challenge of managing the VDAB with a reduced budget of 85 million euros, navigating a job market affected by unemployment benefit limitations and the rise of artificial intelligence.

Demaeght succeeds Joris Philips, who served as interim director after Wim Adriaens' surprise resignation in January. Adriaens stepped down following an investigation by Vlaanderen Audit into a questionable recruitment process for an international role. The investigation focused on the hiring of a Taiwanese individual who did not speak Dutch, a requirement for Flemish public service, under unusual circumstances.

Despite his resignation, Adriaens was not formally sanctioned and continued to receive most of his salary. The article notes that the former director has since found a new position within the administration.