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- News
- 06/10/2026
EuFlex scales down, services for TU/e remain
Two of the four departments of employment agency EuFlex are being phased out. For the approximately 2,200 students and staff members who work at TU/e through EuFlex, little will change. Payroll and contract services will remain in place, as will career coaching.
“People hear that a lot is happening at EuFlex, but the bulk of the work we do for TU/e will continue as usual”, says director Leo Robben (64). EuFlex is discontinuing its smaller Recruitment & Selection and External Clients departments.
Recruitment & Selection will be integrated into TU/e’s Recruitment Team. The three employees currently working in that EuFlex department will also make the move.
For clients of the External Clients department, alternative services will be available through two former EuFlex employees who have started their own business (see the box further down in this article).
Six employees lose their jobs
As a result of the reorganization, six employees will lose their jobs, including director Leo Robben (64). This brings an end to his nearly 25-year career at EuFlex. “Of course it affects me, but we have parted ways on good terms,” says Robben.
In recent months, his main focus has been ensuring a smooth transition for employees and clients. Some of the affected staff members have already found new jobs, while two others are launching their own businesses.
Robben will remain involved with EuFlex for the time being to wrap up ongoing matters. The organization will be leaving its current office in Luna and moving into a smaller office space on campus.
He also wants to ensure a proper handover to his successor. The new director will work part-time and has a profile that better matches the streamlined organization.
According to Robben, the closure of the Recruitment & Selection team was unavoidable. “This work overlaps significantly with that of TU/e’s Recruitment Team, and we noticed that the number of vacancies EuFlex was allowed to fill kept declining.”
He also understands why. “Clients perceive TU/e’s recruitment services as free of charge, whereas EuFlex sends an invoice once a vacancy has been filled. As a result, the profitability of this activity came under pressure.”
The External Clients department also proved difficult to sustain. It was intended to connect students with employers in the region while they were still studying.
The idea was that international students in particular would feel more connected to the region after graduation and therefore be more likely to remain in the Netherlands. “Companies did not think it was a bad idea, but they were not willing to pay for it,” says Robben.
“Success reflects positively on TU/e”
EuFlex will continue with its two largest pillars and will keep approximately 2,200 students and employees working within TU/e. Staff members can also still turn to the company for career coaching. Around four hundred employees made use of that service over the past year.
Although Robben is disappointed that he has to leave, he looks back on his time at EuFlex with satisfaction. “The largest part of EuFlex will continue. For many people, nothing will change. I hope EuFlex continues to do well and that my former colleagues will be successful. Ultimately, that success also reflects positively on TU/e.”
Continue reading below the photo: High Tech Campus as a springboard for students
High Tech Campus as a springboard for students
Student Base at High Tech Campus Eindhoven is buzzing with activity. Fontys students exchange internship experiences, attend workshops, and build their professional networks.
It is exactly the kind of environment where Kevin Engels (38) wants to work. Following his departure from EuFlex, Engels is starting his own business. Through Match Your Engineer, he aims to connect TU/e students with companies outside the university, using High Tech Campus Eindhoven as a base of operations.
According to Engels, the collaboration with Student Base is important. Through his platform, students gain access not only to companies, but also to workshops, courses, and a professional network.
“I really enjoy working with students, and here I’m right in the middle of it.” Bert-Jan Woertman (55) of Student Base also sees opportunities. “Students see people like themselves walking around here who are further along in their professional careers. In a way, they are seeing their future selves.”
“Working with the talent of the future”
Around three hundred companies are located at High Tech Campus Eindhoven. According to Engels, this gives students the opportunity to become familiar with industry while they are still studying. “As the talent of the future, you can work here for a company of the future.”
EuFlex struggled to generate sufficient returns from its External Clients department, but Engels is confident about the future. His company has low overhead costs, and students ultimately join the company they work for directly. In addition, through his time at EuFlex, he already knows many students and companies.
With Match Your Engineer, Engels wants to make it easier for students to take the step towards a part-time job outside the university. “Through my company, students can go into their job search well prepared, while companies can discover that students are capable of much more than they may have initially thought.”
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