A survey conducted by Human Resources firm Randstad has identified the Leuven-based research centre Imec as Belgium’s most attractive employer for 2026. 11,000 people were interviewed in the course of the survey. The results highlight the significant role played by innovation and reputation in the battle for talent.
The Leuven-based research centre ranks number one this year scoring 76.3 per cent on attractiveness. This puts Imec ahead of both tech unicorn Odoo and British pharmaceutical giant GSK. A unicorn company is typically a privately held startup valued at over US$1 billion, typically tech-focused and growing rapidly. The Randstad survey focuses on the brands of the 195 largest private employers in Belgium.
Tech industry gains ground
Whereas in recent years pharmaceutical and media companies in particular scored highly, the technology sector is now making clear headway. According to Randstad, innovation plays a key role in this. In an increasingly tight labour market, employees are looking more than ever for employers who are keeping pace with the latest developments.
Highly rated by a broad group of employees
Respondents particularly value Imec for its access to the latest technologies, its strong reputation and its salary and benefits package. The research centre scores particularly well among men, highly educated individuals and employees aged between 31 and 64 but also ranks highly among women.
In addition to individual employers, Randstad also looked at sectors. Just like last year, the aviation sector is Belgium’s most attractive in which to work, mainly thanks to job content and reputation. The sector scores 47.7 per cent, narrowly staying ahead of pharmaceuticals and high-tech.
Pay remains important, but not everything
For Belgian employees, an attractive salary and benefits remain the most important criteria. However, according to Randstad, this is no longer enough to attract talent. “A good salary is a basic requirement these days,” says spokesperson Wim Van der Linden. “Anyone who wants to make a difference must invest in strong leadership and innovation.”