EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Jobs market for immigrants in Rotterdam

Jobs market for immigrants in Rotterdam

Introduction

The Development Department of the city of Rotterdam discovered that many immigrants were good potential members of the labour force, but that local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) had almost totally failed to recognise them as such. Local jobs markets are designed to bring job-seekers and employers together.

Problem

How can SMEs looking for staff be brought together with immigrants seeking to assimilate into the community in Rotterdam?

Description

In the autumn of 2001 and spring of 2002 the City of Rotterdam Development Corporation (OntwikkelingsBedrijf Rotterdam, OBR) held a jobs market for immigrants seeking to assimilate into the community. This was an unusual initiative as this kind of activity is generally organised by the city's Social Affairs Department. OBR is the city's economic arm. Its remit includes labour influx and labour policy in the city.

Approach

Two jobs markets were held in conjunction with two Rotterdam regional training centres (ROC Zadkine and the Albeda College). The idea was to bridge the gap between vacancies in SMEs and immigrants keen to find employment.

At the present time OBR, with MIP (Migration, Integration & Participation), which is the part of the city's Social Affairs & Employment department that looks after the assimilation of newcomers, is considering new activities for immigrants. OBR is also talking to both public and private sector bodies which can help facilitate the passage of immigrants into the labour force.

Contact info

City of Rotterdam Development Corporation
Mr. Marco van den Berg, tel., tel. +31 10 4895315

Project start date

05/08/2003

Links

City of Rotterdam Development Corporation

Jobs market for immigrants in Rotterdam (PDF, Dutch, 133 KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Employment