Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
UWV ends €55 million job-matching system project
Dutch benefits agency UWV is ending a five-year digital project that cost about €55 million.
The Bemiddelingsservice, or BMS, was meant to connect employers and jobseekers more effectively.
UWV tested it on a small scale but says it does not meet expectations.
The agency lacks confidence that it can be introduced within a reasonable time and at responsible cost.
In April, a government ICT review criticised the project’s approach and said UWV had not gained control of quality, time or costs.
Social Affairs Minister Vijlbrief will commission a thorough evaluation and later update the Dutch parliament on the consequences of ending development.
UWV is ending development of its digital Bemiddelingsservice (BMS) after spending about €55 million on the project.
The system was intended to better connect employers with jobseekers, but UWV says it does not meet expectations.
The agency said it lacked confidence that the system could be introduced within an acceptable timeframe and at responsible cost.
A government advisory body had warned in April that the project was over budget and behind schedule.
Minister Vijlbrief said a thorough evaluation would be carried out and the effects of ending the project would be assessed.
- Who
- UWV, the Dutch benefits agency, is ending the project. Software supplier 8vance also commented.
- What
- UWV is stopping development and implementation of its digital Bemiddelingsservice, intended to connect employers with jobseekers.
- When
- UWV announced the decision on 14 October 2026, after five years of development.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- UWV says the system does not meet expectations and it lacks confidence it can be implemented within an acceptable timeframe and at responsible cost.
UWV
Han Stoffels, co-founder of 8vance
Reason for ending or opposing the decision
UWV
UWV says it lacks confidence the system will deliver the desired result within an acceptable timeframe and at responsible cost.
Han Stoffels, co-founder of 8vance
Stoffels called the decision extremely disappointing and said UWV’s data were the problem.
Use of public resources and project inputs
UWV
UWV said it must act realistically and responsibly with public funds.
Han Stoffels, co-founder of 8vance
Stoffels said 8vance had built an F-16 but UWV was putting diesel in it.
Software supplier 8vance won the tender to improve the service.
The Advisory Board on ICT Assessment said the project’s approach did not fit its innovative nature and advised UWV to choose another approach.
UWV announced it was ending the project after five years of development.
Minister Vijlbrief said a thorough evaluation would take place and the effects of stopping the project would be assessed.
- Project
- Bemiddelingsservice (BMS)
- Spending
- About €55 million
- Development period
- Five years
- Intended purpose
- Better connect employers and jobseekers
- Supplier
- 8vance
- Evaluation
- Minister Vijlbrief said a thorough evaluation would take place
3 sources
What people are saying
We find it very regrettable that we cannot continue with the Bemiddelingsservice.
At the same time, we must be realistic and deal responsibly with public funds.
We have built an F-16 that UWV then puts diesel in.