In the past year, the municipality of Amsterdam has guided more than 5,200 young people to work for a study via the Youth Point, despite the corona measures. The number of 4,450 young people who left in 2020 was even surpassed. More than a third of the young people who left this year have also left social assistance.

Alderman Rutger Groot Wassink (Social Affairs): “The corona pandemic has a lot of influence on the labor market, especially if you are young and are starting your career, so I am proud that we have achieved this result. This week, a report by SEO economic research found that the pandemic is widening the gaps between young people in the labor market. In the past year, 23,000 fewer young people entered the labor market nationwide. I am therefore proud that we have been able to guide almost 10,000 young people in Amsterdam to a new start in the past two corona years.”

Due to the corona measures, it has been less possible to reach young people and link them to work or a study place in the past two years. The city counters were available to a limited extent this year, walk-in consultation hours at the Youth Point cannot continue. That is why the Youth Point was brought to the attention through three major campaigns, spread over the year in the city and were visible on social media. contact was possible through advisors who are involved in actively approaching and supporting young people. As in the previous corona year, extra capacity has been made available for this. Furthermore, contact with young people is largely digital, they can contact the Youth Advisors at the municipality of Amsterdam directly by telephone or via Whatsapp.

Youth Point
The Youth Point is especially for Amsterdammers between the ages of 18 and 27 and offers other services in addition to guidance towards work after a study. Youth advisors can help young people towards work through an (online) consultation, or offer help to MBO schools through the network with the transition to a course or study. Young people who are dealing with insufficient income or money problems can get help to deal with their debts through a budget consultation. As of 1 January 2022, all young people aged 16 and over can go to the Youth Point.

Digital contact via website, Whatsapp and an App
The corona measures make it more difficult at the various locations. That is why the Youth Point can also be reached digitally, via the website or directly via Whatsapp. It is also possible to view direct vacancies via the 020Werkt app. The app provides further information about training courses that help you find a paid job. In addition, the Youth Point also provides access to the online platform HalloWerk, where young people come into direct contact with employers and can directly apply for various positions.