Helping newcomers to find jobs even more effectively

Since 2020, Volunteer Center Amsterdam (VCA) has had a wonderful project in which newcomers are guided towards volunteering. Recently, an exchange took place between VCA members Clotilde and Faten, who are involved in this project, and the customer guides from the municipality. They shared knowledge and experience from their practice, got to know each other’s methods better, identified what works well and what challenges they face in order to improve their approach and collaboration. All with the aim of better matching newcomers to volunteering opportunities.The conclusion: volunteering can make a significant contribution to the integration of newcomers, it has a positive impact on how someone feels, and gives newcomers the opportunity to practice the language, expand their social network, and prepare for work.

Ready for the job market

There are already some great results to share. For example, an employee from VCA said: “An elderly refugee spoke very little Dutch. I struggled to sign him up at the thrift store De Lokatie, at the catering facility. I ran into him a year and a half later when I went to De Lokatie with another volunteer, and he told me he was very happy, that it had helped him a lot with the language, and that he was now pursuing an education.” A customer support worker also shared a nice story: “I was in touch with a man who really wanted to work but wasn’t quite ready. I signed him up at VCA for volunteer work and eventually he ended up at the organization Bloei en Groei. He was always punctual, participated well, had good relationships with everyone. Then I received a call from the coordinator and she said ‘he is really ready for the job market now’. And indeed, a few months later he was off benefits.”

Where are the success factors located?

• Good information: The customer is well informed about the purpose of the volunteer work (for some it is to work on their language skills, for others to get used to the job market, or to come out of isolation).
• Clear communication: Short lines of communication between VCA and customer managers
• Knowledge and network: VCA has a lot of knowledge about the social map in Amsterdam and often has close connections with volunteer coordinators.
• Accessible: Anyone who is curious about the possibilities of volunteering can make an appointment at VCA.
• Trust: Support for ambassadors during intake and beyond
• Seeking new opportunities: VCA aims to inspire organizations to work with newcomers and create space for them.
• Customization: Finding volunteer work that suits the wishes and talents of the newcomer, VCA offers a wide range.

From the meeting, a number of ideas have emerged to strengthen collaboration, and there is confidence in the future. All participants found the meeting valuable and useful. Project leader Clotilde Caillault: “I hope that VCA can continue with this project for a long time and offer many newcomers a new opportunity. We are proud of our results.”Project for Newcomersis made possible by: