How can the employment market position of unemployed residents of the district be improved and how can the gap between them and the employment market for ICT jobs be reduced?

In a training and practical workshop, unemployed residents are trained to be assistant system administrator, help desk or level 2 assembly worker in one year’s time. Second-hand computers are also refurbished and supplied to minimum wage earners in Hengelo.

During the project, the content of the training was changed to line up better with the employment market and, because the demand for system administrators and assembly workers is slight, the training was directed more towards the function of help desk worker. The focus has also shifted from theory to practice: fewer traditional lessons and more practical assignments.

At the beginning of 2003, 47 people had already been placed in the computer workshop and 16 individuals had gone on to other work (paid or otherwise).

Each year the Computer workshop supplies 100 computers by means of a loan agreement to those earning minimum wage in Hengelo. At present, 75 citizens have been provided with a computer. Every month approximately 25 computers are issued. There are still approximately 80 people on the waiting list.

The costs of the Computer workshop amount to €784,722 and are covered by: the Large cities policy, Digital vacant fields (‘Digitale trapvelden’), the Province of Overijssel, Provisions for those on minimum income, the ICT Communications fund and external means.

ROC Oost Nederland
E. Colard, tel. +31 74 8503855

01/12/2000

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Employment