Trabajar

A paid work placement is a temporary job where you get the chance to know an organization and the work culture within that organization. You have the opportunity to discover if a job suits you. You get the chance to expand your network, develop your skills, and gain work experience. You get an employment contract, and earn the minimum wage at least. A paid work experience placement can help you to get a job after.

Werkwijzer Vluchtelingen (externe link)

On this website you will find an example of paid work experience places, such as those offered by the Dutch Railways.

An internship is a good preparation for a job. Through an internship you can learn much, gain experience, and discover how it is to work in the Netherlands. During an internship you will work for a specific period of time in an organization. The most important is to learn, so payment is low. However, you may be reimbursed for costs you need to make as part of your work.

There are several organizations that can help you find an internship.

Leerwerkloket (externe link)

The Leerwerkloket offers advice on learning and working in the Netherlands. You can go there for an overview of internships, personal advice, and organizations that can help you find an internship or study.

Stagestraat (externe link)

Stagestraat helps permit holders in municipalities to find an internship. In the Stagestraat you can do an internship for 4 days a week during 6 months, in the sectors of retail, hospitality or services.

There are also temporary projects aimed at guiding permit holders to the labour market. These sometimes also offer internships:

K!X Works (externe link)

K!X Works helps young refugees and newcomers to find a study, internship or job. By offering one year of supervision, refugees receive training in social and employee skills, how to build a network, and how education and the Dutch labour market work. Feel free to ask your COA casemanager whether K!X Works is active in your COA reception center.

Vluchtelingen Investeren in Participeren (VIP) (externe link)

Vluchtelingen Investeren in Participeren is a project to prepare refugees for work. Vluchtenlingenwerk, employers, trainers and the local government are involved. Feel free to ask your COA casemanager if this project is active in the municipality where you will live.

Building a network also helps you find internship opportunities:

Refugee Start Force (externe link)

In the Facebook groups of Refugee Start Force you can easily get in touch with Dutch professionals and volunteers in your area. That way you can build a network and improve your Dutch. You will also find information about internships in these groups, and are free to make a call yourself if you are looking for an internship.

Volunteering is a good way to get to know the work culture in the Netherlands. It allows you to learn how people in the Netherlands interact with each other on the work floor. You furthermore have the opportunity of making new contacts, building your resume and practicing the Dutch language. Voluntary work is appreciated in the Netherlands. You receive no salary for it, but you make an important contribution to your living environment. Sometimes you get an expense allowance. Many activities would not be able to continue were there no volunteers!

You can work as a volunteer at social organizations and institutions such as a community center, the football club, the church or a retirement home. The VOORwerk casemanager can give you information about volunteering close to your COA reception center. If you have already completed the VOORwerk training, you can use the skills you learned and develop them by volunteering.

Below you will find more information about volunteering in your region.

The programme Aan de Slag (externe link) gives you the opportunity to do volunteer work in the municipality. Ask your casemanager if your COA reception center also offers opportunities through Aan de Slag, or look on the website (external link) for more information.

On the website Vrijwilliger&werk (externe link) you can find a list of online job boards for volunteer work. On the website Ik wil vrijwilligerswerk doen (externe link) you can search for volunteer work. You can search for vacancies by organization, municipality or type of work.

There is also a volunteer center in various areas where you can sign up to volunteer. The contact details of the volunteer center in your area can be obtained from the VOORwerk casemanager.

In addition to paid work, internships or volunteer work, you can also start your own business. With your own company, you are your own boss, and you can organize your working hours yourself. Setting up your own company requires a lot of work. Several things are needed, such as a business plan, a location, starting capital, promotional materials, administration, and you need to be aware of what your rights and obligations are, such as taxes for example.

Below you will find links for information about starting your own company.

Kamer van Koophandel (externe link)

You can go to the Chamber of Commerce for information and advice about doing business and starting your own business.

Ondernemersklankbord (externe link)

For support and advice on starting your own business you can contact a consultant of the Ondernemersklankbord (entrepreneur soundboard) in your area.

Ondernemersplein.nl (externe link)

If you want to start your own company, you will find on this site all information about legislation, tax rules or subsidies.

UAF training voor startende ondernemers (externe link)

The UAF guides higher educated refugees with their studies and in finding a suitable job. For UAF students (or UAF alumni) who want to become independent entrepreneurs, the UAF organizes a special training of one year.

Qredits (externe link)

At Qredits you can apply for financing for your business. You can also go there for information and advice.

Cordaid (externe link)

Cordaid offers coaching and advice in setting up cooperative initiatives. These are initiatives that are set up by several people together. Cordaid helps to develop a good concept and to write a business plan. The organization can also help by increasing the network or offering a starting capital.