Amsterdamse retrains lateral entrants for care and welfare
To address the labor shortage in the care and welfare sector, the municipality of Amsterdam, House of Skills and ROC Amsterdam have developed an orientation program. The purpose of this programme, which is temporary, is to retrain Amsterdam lateral entrants for work in the care and welfare sector.
Shortage
In March 2020, it was expected that many people would lose their jobs due to the corona crisis. The municipality of Amsterdam, together with House of Skills and ROC Amsterdam and a few other institutions, started a project to relocate some of these people within the care and welfare sector. Such as well-known branches with a great shortage of workers.
Broad sector
In the first instance, the aim was to mediate interested people directly into a job or training. “However, we found out along the way it is an illusion to think that everyone who is interested in healthcare is immediately available for employment,’ explains the project leader Helen Schuengel. ‘Not because of the lack of skills. But because people have no idea about what race the industry is like and what jobs are out there. You can work in hospitals, youth and elderly care, at general practitioners or social work in a community center. There are also differences between HBO and MBO courses.’
The role of the municipality is essential
Set up orientation project
In 2021, the initiators therefore converted the successful program into an orientation program in which the participants get acquainted with various branches of care and welfare in different ways. Last May it was decided to scrap the 1800 euro costs for the participants (from the Amsterdam region). These are now paid for by the Regional Mobility Team (RMT) of the Greater Amsterdam region. The UWV and the municipality of Amsterdam, among others, are part of it.
Seven classes
Schuengel. “This measure has convinced many people. Many people who want to change jobs are already working and would not be reimbursed for the other costs. In September, the municipality of Amsterdam has a major publicity campaign, including bus shelter signs and social media. Last week we repeated the campaign. That also resulted in many registrations. We currently have seven classes of thirty people. And there may be two more. ‘
Theory and practice
During 10 weeks, the participants are introduced to numerous career paths and training opportunities. In the first block, receive theory lessons about the various branches in the care and welfare sector. In the second block, they can do an internship in the sector of their choice and gain practical experience in skills-converted spaces. Also get all candidates an orientation coach with whom they have a conversation about their experiences twice a week.
It is an illusion to think that everyone who is interested in healthcare is immediately available for employment
90 percent a job
Meanwhile, 59 institutions from the care and welfare sector are participating in the programme. Schuengel calls the project a success. 90 percent of the 76 participants found a suitable job. ‘Although not everyone will work in the care and welfare sector,’ she admits. ‘Participants can follow the orientation process, but also come to the conclusion that a job in education, for example, is better in the past.’
Role municipality
Schuengel is regulated by municipalities, and regional employer associations, among others, with the request organize inspiration sessions on how to set up a similar project in your own region. The role of the municipality is essential in this, she believes. ‘Because of the financing of publicity, for example. But also for thinking along about the set-up and combating fragmentation. The care and welfare sector is complex because the institutions differ greatly from each other,’ she continues. ‘The question is: can we set up a project that is so successful that other parties associate with us, and not with other initiatives? If the municipality is the driving force, then I think other parties will join in more quickly.’