As part of the Dutch national research program GeoImpuls an inventory has been made of the state of the education at Dutch institutes of higher education and post-graduate education in so far as this education concerns geotechncial engineering and geotechnical risk management. Significant differences have been found in the amount of time allotted and detailed technical knowledge taught at different levels and different institutes. Given the limited technical background and limited knowledge of GeoRM for most civil engineering graduates, a split is perceived between the actual and necessary skill set of starting engineers. The impact of this split is discussed in light of international standards for professional engineers.