HCA project
Work coaches
To tackle shortages in the technical sectors and make the labour market more accessible, employment coaches play a vital role. They help jobseekers and career changers find a suitable job and support employers in attracting and developing talent. The coaches are managed by Gelders Vakmanschap, which has years of experience in supporting candidates and employers in the technical sector. The Human Capital Agreement helps ensure there are sufficient resources for these coaches, enabling them to carry out their work in the region to the best of their ability.
Thanks to this personal support, jobseekers not only get a job, but also the right training and support to develop within the sector. This contributes to a resilient labour market in which companies find the right employees faster and talents remain sustainably employable.
The labour market coaches focus on intake, training and retention. They guide candidates in their orientation to the technical sector and provide the right training routes. This can be via direct placement with an employer or via a learning-working path such as a BBL course.
For employers, the coaches offer advice on subsidies, schemes and setting up learning environments within the company. They mainly support SMEs without their own HR department, so that smaller companies also have access to qualified staff.
In cooperation with industry organisations such as Wij-Techniek, OOM and A&O Metalektro, training programmes and financial schemes are made more accessible. The coaches have a good idea of the opportunities in the region and make the right connections between employers, candidates and trainers.
The coaches are also involved in initiatives such as the Vocational Garden, where people without a technical background are trained in three months to become practically employable employees. This creates a direct link between training and work.
Besides individual guidance, labour market coaches provide networking and knowledge sharing. They organise meetings, connect companies with trainers and identify market trends and needs. This helps to better meet the demand for technical staff.
This structural approach not only makes the labour market more accessible, but also future-proof. Employers and employees benefit from a sustainable solution to shortages in technology and energy, strengthening innovation and growth in the region.
