Speed Dating for Jobs at Flexiforum

How do you bring employers and job seekers together during times of labor market shortages? The municipality, in collaboration with the Ontwikkelcentrum, recently organized another speed-dating event. At the Flexiforum, various companies from the region gathered to get to know candidates—and vice versa—through short, informal conversations.

Promising Encounters

It remains a challenge for the municipality to help residents with a “ Social assistance benefit ” find employment. That is why Team Work and Income once again organized a “speed date” afternoon for candidates who are close to entering the job market.

Koen Meijs from Boston Scientific was participating for the first time. “Speed dating gives us the chance to introduce candidates to logistics in an accessible way. Logistics is much more than just moving boxes. I want to show what opportunities are out there and just how diverse the work actually is.”

"Through these conversations, I discover what candidates really want, so I can better match them with a position. Sometimes I refer them to another organization within the speed-dating network. Often, we identify one or two candidates during such an afternoon who are immediately interested. It’s precisely that personal element that makes it valuable," adds Patrick Goertzen of PG Personeelsdiensten.

Support That Works

Asiya Duran of WSP Parkstad has also noticed how effective the speed dates are: “I speak with many of these candidates every Wednesday at the Flexiforum. That means I’m familiar with their backgrounds and know what they need. During the speed dates, I can quickly match employers’ job openings with the candidates’ qualifications.” 

In addition to the speed dates, the municipality supports job seekers in many other ways—from informational sessions to company tours, and from workshops to wellness classes. All of this is designed to make the transition to employment as smooth as possible.

Read more about the Development Center.