News item
Adam obtains a secondary vocational education certificate of practical training at SuperFlora
More than half of the people on welfare and one third of the people who receive an unemployment benefit under the Dutch Participation Law lack the basic qualifications to enter the labour market. There is also a group of employed persons who likewise do not have the proper starting qualifications. This group often has a vulnerable position on the labour market, or experiences difficulty entering it. It is therefore important that these people receive an education, but this is not feasible for everyone. Practice-based learning, culminating in a certificate of practical training issued by a school for secondary vocational education, has been devised for this group (customized practice-based learning). Thanks to close cooperation between the Patijnenburg employment agency, the ROC Mondriaan regional training centre, and SuperFlora, Adam received his well-earned certificate and an employment contract with SuperFlora on Friday 16 April, in the presence of Municipal Executive Vreugdenhil and various other people involved.
- PHOTO: ROLF VAN KOPPEN
In the photo (from right to left): Remco Salome (General Director of SuperFlora), Saskia Born (Account Manager at Patijnenburg), At Schmidt (Logistics Manager and Adam’s supervisor at SuperFlora), Adam Hasan, Municipal Executive Piet Vreugdenhil, and Eugenie Duijndam – de Man (Project Leader at ROC Mondriaan)
‘It feels as if I have arrived exactly where I should be. I have great colleagues and feel appreciated,’ reported a happy Adam.
At Schmidt, Adam’s logistics manager and supervisor at SuperFlora, commented: ‘Adam has done a really great job and, more important, has the ambition to continue learning. We think it is important to give him that opportunity. This is something from which we all benefit.’
General Director of SuperFlora (Remco Salome): ‘One of SuperFlora’s mottoes is “Creating Colourful Connections”, and this is a wonderful example of that. Connecting different people and organizations to achieve a fantastic result in the field of CSR, in this case! As an employer, I consider it my social duty, within the spirit of our CSR policy, to employ these people. We employ many young people in all branches of our company, and encourage them to continue learning and growing in our company.’
Eugenie Duijndam-de Man, Project Manager at ROC Mondriaan, explains the importance of a practice-based learning programme that culminates in a certificate of practical training in secondary vocational education: ‘By allowing people to acquire and demonstrate skills at an employer, they are given the opportunity and the self-confidence to explore new pathways. It’s great for these people to have better prospects for their future and beneficial to the labour market at the same time.’
Municipal executive Piet Vreugdenhil during the presentation: ‘I am extremely proud of Adam for obtaining the second certificate of practical training in the Westland region, and for getting a contract with this wonderful horticultural wholesale company, SuperFlora. I encourage everyone to keep investing in training and development. That is the best admission ticket to the labour market.’
The goal of practice-based learning
Through customized practice-based learning, job seekers acquire skills during the performance of everyday tasks with potential employers that match the qualifications of secondary vocational education, level 1 (assistant level). If the job seeker completes his or her training successfully, he or she will receive a certificate of practical training and possibly even a job. People who already have a job can enrol in this programme to further develop their skills for a more solid foundation. The certificate of practical training proves that the holder has mastered the tasks relevant to his or her profession, and hopefully leads to a permanent job. It may also serve as an incentive for further development, i.e. by enrolling in a complete or partial training course at secondary vocational level.
Added value for the employer
The application of practice-based learning in secondary vocational education is tailored to both the candidate and the employer. This means that an employer is matched with a candidate who is suited to a specific position in the employer’s company. The employer can create this position independently (job creation) by, for example, taking some tasks away from employees in order to deploy these more efficiently in today’s tight labour market. The employer will then have the opportunity to teach a prospective employee the specific tasks needed for this job. The programme also gives employers participating in customized practical training programmes an additional opportunity to fulfil their CSR and/or SROI policies. For employers in a sector that desperately needs skilled workers, the induction of new employees through a work-study programme that culminates in a certificate of practical training can be a great solution!
It’s a programme with substantial added value: work experience plus training on the job!
In customized practice-based learning, account is taken of what suits the candidate and whether a match can be made with a potential workplace and employer. This training method distinguishes itself from a full-scale training programme at a school for secondary vocational education with a fixed curriculum because it is based on customization. The workplaces are at recognized training companies, which means that the candidates receive tailored guidance. If it suits the candidate, the practice-based learning and practical experience they receive can be supplemented with additional lessons and exams at a school for secondary vocational education. This could be the start of diploma-oriented education.