Tackling the labor market tightness by focusing on 35 additional work centers | Economy

These special counters must ensure that job seekers with or without benefits can receive help in finding a job or the right training. Furthermore, companies can go there if they are looking for suitable personnel. There are now eight regions with a work center in which government agencies, UWV, municipalities, companies, trade unions and educational organizations work together.

The various parties hope to reduce the shortage on the labor market in this way. There are currently 380,000 vacancies in our country and many companies are eager for staff. Many people are still needed, especially in technology, ICT, construction and healthcare, say experts from employment group Randstad.

This also applies to the public sector. For example, childcare is looking for five thousand new people, the police eleven thousand and education fifteen thousand. In total, there are 100,000 vacancies in the public sector.

“We really need each other on the labor market,” says outgoing Minister Karien van Gennip (Social Affairs and Employment). “This applies to people who are still on the sidelines or are in danger of losing their jobs, but also to employers who are looking for staff.”

The government wants these centers to be established in all 35 labor market regions. In other places, the supply is too fragmented and people do not always know where to turn, according to the ministers.

“We are very pleased that, thanks to the structural financing, we have additional opportunities to help and support people with questions about work and education in one recognizable place,” says UWV board member Nathalie van Berkel. “This way it becomes clear to everyone where they can go for help.”

There are still many people in our country who could get started. In total, more than 1.4 million people are standing along the sidelines. The so-called unused labor potential can be deployed, but this is not easy for various reasons. This group includes people who are disabled, who mainly focus on their studies or training and are concerned with caring for their family or household.

“The severe shortage on the labor market and the fact that there are still people on the sidelines shows that there must be a recognizable point where everyone can go for questions about finding work and help with retraining. Together with the municipalities and our “We have seen with our partners that the regional Work Center is the place for this,” says Van Berkel.