Despite rising unemployment, logistics jobs in West Brabant are up for grabs. Unemployed people there are being retrained for a job in the sector within six weeks. The crash course should help 180 people in the region find a job.
The UWV, local authorities and employers' organisation VNO-NCW have joined forces to quickly guide people to work and support companies in their staff shortage. The first 11 jobseekers recently received their 'logistic passport'. By mid-2021, this crash course should help 180 people in West-Brabant find work. Some 70 companies have already pledged to employ at least two people with such a certificate.
It mainly concerns people with a so-called distance to the labour market: people without education, with a language disadvantage or status holders. Spokesperson Nienke Vermeulen told the AD: "They often come from an awkward situation and without proper guidance quickly drop out, or are fired. That stops them from getting a diploma, but that does not mean they cannot do this work."
Those who take the crash course in logistics do so while retaining their benefits. The training is paid for and there is a job guarantee. Companies receive a subsidy if they hire the worker, so they have a net cheap labour force.
Due to the corona crisis, national unemployment is rising. "Then it is nice that there are also sectors where there is still plenty of work, and that they are a perfect match for this vulnerable group," project leader Chantal Botz told the AD. An analysis of the UWV Labour Market Stress Indicator, conducted by NOS, shows that logistics is in the top 10 occupational groups with the highest job prospects. There are currently 10,600 vacancies open in the sector. "Nationwide, unemployment rises much less among those with a college or university education than among those with a college education and unskilled workers. That group is an excellent fit for this sector."
