In 2023, OpenEmbassy investigated the pilot toeleiding to work from the asylum seekers' center in Almere. Here Randstad, COA and the Municipality of Almere guide residents from the reception center directly to work. Since then, this theme has only become more urgent. Now we share our lessons.
By: Pepijn Tielens
Urgency work and shelter
The number of work permits (TWV) for asylum seekers has increased exponentially. There are more parties guiding people from reception to work. And the 24-week requirement has also failed in court. Nevertheless, there are still many obstacles to guiding people from the asylum seekers' center to work, and we can learn a lot from the various approaches that are now being developed.
Work and shelter is an important issue. Especially in the context of the (still valid) Spreading Law, and the intention of 96% of Dutch municipalities to act in the spirit of this law. Provided it is properly arranged, guidance to work from reception means that future residents can add value, learn the language and build a social network. People could report to the Meedoenbalie in Almere for an intake. At the time of the pilot, it was always busy here, and initially there was not even enough capacity to deal with everyone who wanted to work. This was indicative of the strong desire of newcomers to work.
"One of the participants in Almere was able to go to work at the IKEA. Besides work, this also meant new social contacts. For example, his new colleagues indicated that they could help decorate his house once he moved to Almere..."
Figures pilot Almere
Participants pilot
The pilot in Almere ran from December 2022 - December 2023 and was co-funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The parties involved had set the goal of guiding 50 residents to work. In the pilot, 169 out of 924 residents were spoken to (18%).
Of the total number of residents, 2% are placed and still working. And 3% were placed but stopped before the reference date. At the time of the reference date, the number of 50 actual placements has just barely been achieved (46). However, 7 people are still waiting for their TWV and BSN. This does put the number of 50 placements within reach. The waiting times for these documents are beyond the control of the organizing parties.
Setting up pilot job placement from the asylum center
Were residents interested in working? Then they could go from the Meedoenbalie in AZC Almere to Randstad for an intake interview. Later also with an account manager from the municipality. Based on the intake, Randstad made matches with involved employers and introduced participants through speed dates and job interviews. If necessary, they requested a BSN and work permit and made everything ready for participants to start working for the employer. In the end, about 7 employers participated in the pilot.
Research approach
Through interviews and focus groups, we spoke to staff and residents about the approach in Almere. Ultimately, we brought both parties together to think together about solutions to improve the pilot. We compiled these insights in a report. We also wrote a guide for parties who also want to work with work and reception. For example municipalities, COA locations and social organizations.
Lessons learned from work and care
In the report and handbook on the transition to work from the asylum seekers' center, we elaborate on the lessons learned. Here is a brief summary of them:
1. A 𝗴𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗲 makes it possible to rely on cooperation and make adjustments in the interim. To a task in which much remains to be invented.
2. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: By involving residents in the design and implementation from the beginning, you avoid a mismatch in information and expectation management.
𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗸 and has a positive effect on social connectedness. At the same time, one's living environment is important to be able to work comfortably. Finally, one must also be sure in advance that the work pays off in terms of benefits and legal payments.
4. The 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗲 between employers and residents is essential. Make sure the matcher speaks the "language" of employers and residents. Or divide this between two people, each representing a perspective.
5. Employers make a 𝗸𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻/𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 when hiring. Mitigate risks and costs. These include BSN and work permit applications, preventing unexpected moves and any financial arrangements such as trial placements.
6. 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗷𝗻: All parties involved want people to keep jobs. Unexpected moves and linkages to other municipalities can get in the way of that. There is also a role for the municipality to facilitate that work and integration can be combined.
Article COA
"With good cooperation and guidance, many more newcomers can be employed."
How to proceed?
Guidance into work from the asylum seekers' center is as important as ever. At OpenEmbassy we hear every day the strong desire from newcomers that they would have loved to work from the reception center. So that they could have started learning the language. So that they could have started building a social network within the host society.
If you get this right, all these factors come together in work. From our expertise we like to think along with you about the right approach when it comes to guidance towards work from shelter. Or about broader issues. Such as: How do we set up a shelter locally where newcomers feel at home, can develop and are connected to the local community?
You can read a first step in our report and handbook. Would you like to discuss this further? Or do you have an innovative approach you are rolling out as a municipality? Then email pepijn@openembassy.nl.
Download report
"Evaluation of pilot pathway to employment"
Download Guide
"Guide to getting to work from the asylum center"
