Job Hacks in Antwerp: job fair for ‘invisible young people’ wants to remove barriers in the search for work (Antwerp)
The unemployment rate among young people in Antwerp is high. many vacancies are not filled. So there is a group of job seekers who, as it were, remain ‘invisible’ to employers. Job Hacks wants to respond to this. The job fair is an initiative of ‘Werk zkt Jonge’, a European project, led by Scum Studios, SBS Skill Builders and Young Fenix. Over the years, these three Antwerp organizations have amassed a great deal of expertise in the field of work, well-being and leisure and are now bundling that knowledge to increase the chances of young people on the labor market.
In doing so, they focus on NEET youth (not in education, work or education) up to the age of 30: young people who have disappeared from society’s radar. With the first edition of Job Hacks they managed to attract about 250 visitors. In their twenties, but also an older audience that hoped to find a job this way. About thirty exhibitors signed up. Mainly employment agencies, but also a few companies. “We make the direct link between employers and job seekers,” says co-organizer Mohamed El Kasmi.
Very realistic jobs
Visitors could view various vacancies on site, request information, indicate which job they were looking for and record their CV to be called later for an intake interview. From a job at the landscaping department to an order picker, an administrative assistant, a job at the Defense Ministry, and so on. Those who did not have a proper curriculum vitae in their pocket were helped at the entrance of the scholarship to prepare and print an effective document.
It is in this way that Job Hacks want to remove as many barriers as possible when finding work. “And if you don’t find a job here, we pick it up and you can follow a trajectory and receive support within our organizations,” says El Kasmi. The organizers want to turn Job Hacks into a colorful fair. “And then we hope that in the future we will get even more companies to join us. Because now there was some reluctance to participate. We also hope to remove those barriers.”
Mohamed Akarouch (22): “If I applied under a Flemish name, I was allowed to come for an interview”
“I am looking for a new challenge”, says Mohamed Akarouch. He is currently working as a fire safety guard in the port of Antwerp. “I work in shifts and cycle to work every day,” he says. He doesn’t have a degree. “I didn’t finish high school. But that doesn’t stop me from finding something that suits me.” Although he has been looking for a long time. “Via the VDAB and the other standard channels.” But that didn’t yield much. “I would prefer to end up in the fashion sector. Think, for example, of a store manager or assistant manager. I certainly can,” he says.
Where does he think the noose is? “The fact that I don’t have a diploma must certainly have something to do with it. But my name and my roots also have something to do with it. I have already applied several times under a Flemish name, but I had not received an answer to my first application. And with that Flemish name I was successfully interviewed. That discrimination demotivates. But it will work well for me in the end.” Here at Job Hacks, he already submitted his resume in several places. “Some were very enthusiastic. I come across pretty quickly,” he laughs.
Mohammed Lachka (39): “I am now taking Dutch lessons, because I am having trouble speaking and writing the language”
“I used to work in a bakery for three years, but I’ve been looking for work for almost a year now,” explains. He is a year away from 40 and wants to become a truck driver. “I am now taking Dutch lessons, because I am having trouble speaking and writing the language. I think my job search is going to be so difficult. I have been allowed to come for job interviews several times, but so far without success.” It was through the VDAB that he ended up at Job Hacks. “I’m going to drop off my resume in different places here and take a look around,” he smiles.
Zakaria Salout (29): “I’m in electromechanics and it’s hard to find a job that matches my degree”
Three years ago Zakaria Salout left Palestine. His family still lives there. He ended up in Antwerp. “Over the past three years, I’ve done a lot of different jobs, including at Katoen Natie. My last job ended two weeks ago. But actually I have been looking for a job that matches my diploma for quite some time now. I do electromechanics and would like to do something with it. I want mechanical designer be, but that’s going to be difficult. Mainly due to the fact that my Dutch is not that good yet. I do take Dutch lessons, but my level is not good enough yet. I have already applied for several vacancies, but each time the choice is made for someone who knows the language better, or for someone with more experience. It will not work. I hope that changes soon. Here I have already submitted my resume in several places. It’s not all that easy.”
Kaoutar Achahbar (25): “Hopefully I will graduate next month and ideally I would like to start working then”
Kaoutar Achahbar is not a student, but wants to start working as soon as possible after her studies in remedial education, which hopefully will be completed in June. “I come here to see what vacancies there are. I already have several of them through the VDAB, but I thought I had a good idea of the profiles that people are looking for. I’m sure I’ll find something soon. I believe in myself and know that I have a lot to offer. In addition, there is a high demand for people in the social sector. I would prefer to start immediately after my studies. I’m busy. And there are so many young people who need help. I really want to work.”