About Rick van Echtelt
Rick van Echtelt is the Co-Founder and CEO of AG5, where he leverages over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship and developing skills management software. Passionate about innovation and creating new business models, Rick thrives on empowering his team to achieve their full potential. He played a pivotal role in establishing the first skills matrix software for the Dutch safety regions, demonstrating his ability to merge technology with critical public services while ensuring seamless and impactful implementation.
Prior to founding AG5, Rick established N200, where he honed his skills in the software sector and gained invaluable experience in strategic business growth. He now uses that expertise to guide AG5 Skills Management Software toward industry leadership by developing cutting-edge solutions for skills and compliance management.
Rick holds an academic background in Business and Economics from Nyenrode Business University and Inholland University of Applied Sciences. His solid educational foundation complements his extensive professional acumen.
Beyond leading the AG5 team, Rick is a dedicated advocate for tech-driven social initiatives that drive positive change. He enjoys exploring emerging technological trends, fostering innovative thinking within his network, and advocating for solutions that combine technological advancement with meaningful societal impact.
177 articles published by this author
The strategic guide to upskilling employees and closing the skills gap
In a world where 72% of Chief Human Resources Officers expect artificial intelligence to fundamentally shift job roles...
13.01.2026 | 12 min read
Production skills management: How to define, assess and track skills on the shop floor
Production skills management is the process of defining, assessing, and tracking the competencies needed to run production safely...
12.01.2026 | 19 min read
How much does skills management software cost?
See what skills management software typically costs, what drives AG5 pricing, and how to estimate your budget –...
08.01.2026 | 9 min read
The competency matrix top companies use to track employee skills
Organizations using competency matrices report faster time-to-competency for new hires and fewer compliance violations. This comprehensive guide reveals...
05.12.2025 | 9 min read
How to identify and track workforce skills
Understanding and tracking workforce skills is essential for compliance, productivity, and workforce planning. This article explains how to...
13.11.2025 | 4 min read
ISO 9001 Skills Management: Quality System Compliance
ISO 9001 clause 7.2 demands defined role competence, objective assessment, targeted actions, effectiveness checks, and retained evidence. Operationalize...
12.11.2025 | 9 min read
Aerospace manufacturing skills certification and compliance
Build a living, role-based skills matrix that ties training, assessments, certificates, and authorizations to real work with expiry...
21.10.2025 | 10 min read
Competency management software: Manufacturing industry guide
Throughout this guide, we’ll focus on practical steps: how to define competencies in manufacturing, how to link gaps...
23.09.2025 | 8 min read
Best training matrix software: top 5 platforms for 2025
Training matrix software makes it possible to align roles, skills, and certifications across your organization. Below, we’ve curated...
08.09.2025 | 5 min read