Highly Skilled Migrants in Brainport Eindhoven, their wellbeing and intention to stay in the Region. A focus on the room for improvement in the highly skilled migrants’ retention in Brainport Eindhoven

The shortage of skilled labor and the global competition for highly qualified employees has challenged Brainport Eindhoven companies to develop strategies to attract and retain Highly Skilled Migrants (HSMs). This study analyses the room for improvement in the retention of Highly Skilled Migrants (HSMs) in the Brainport Eindhoven by looking at different stakeholders, such as HSMs, companies, and cultural institutions. Based on the literature on Global Talent Management, Highly Skilled Migration, Gender and Migration, Migration and
Well-being, Life Course Approach, and Intersectionality, the study has deductive and inductive elements. It is composed of a mixed-method approach, including semi-structured interviews and surveys. Results show differences in the well-being of the two groups of HSMs studied. This study shows that both economic and social well-being are crucial for the intention to stay of migrants in the region. It also shows a mismatch in companies' perception of what attracts highly skilled migrants and what HSMs are attracted by. Finally, it presents several recommendations for the abovementioned stakeholders.