VDAB Hamme and Kansenfabriek organize job date for construction sector
Collaboration lowers barriers for detainees and employers in the construction and wood sector.
By Lien Vandenbroucke
••3 min read
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Generic image of construction tools on building materials, with blurred blueprints in the background.
On October 12, the Transition House of the Kansenfabriek and VDAB in Hamme organized an information session and job date to connect employers from the construction and wood sectors with motivated candidates, including individuals post-detention.
The construction sector faces a shortage of labor, while there are also motivated individuals seeking a sustainable place in the job market after a period of detention. To lower these barriers and increase awareness about employment after detention, Kansenfabriek and VDAB have joined forces. This initiative also supports regional employers in finding new employees.
The day began with an information session at the Kansenfabriek. The operation of the Transition House was presented, along with support for employment after detention and possibilities for work-based learning. The Transition House in Hamme is a small-scale residential facility where detainees live together and work towards their return to society under intensive guidance. Kansenfabriek, which operates the house, focuses on positive reintegration.
Subsequently, a job date took place at the VDAB training center in Hamme. Here, about sixty job seekers, including (ex-)trainees, unemployed individuals, and candidates from detention, could discover vacancies from approximately ten regional companies in the construction and wood sectors. VDAB staff could also immediately connect participants with training needs to VDAB's offerings on-site.
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"In a tight labor market, we must look at opportunities and fully commit to creating chances. Together with the Transition House of Kansenfabriek, we have achieved this through this event for employers in the construction and wood sector and candidates from detention. We want to motivate employers to help build sustainable opportunities for these candidates who are now returning to the labor market. But we also helped our own trainees and other job seekers from the region get started during the job date to discover suitable vacancies close to home."
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"For people coming out of detention, finding work is often a major challenge. Despite their talents, skills, and motivation, they too often encounter prejudice, leading to missed opportunities before they can prove themselves. This is unfortunate because, especially within the transition house, we see motivated individuals daily with a strong work ethic and the will to make a positive contribution to society again. Initiatives like this bring employers and job seekers closer together and foster more understanding, trust, and opportunities. We therefore explicitly thank VDAB for this valuable initiative. Together, we offer people not just a chance at work, but also at a new future."
Further information can be obtained from the management of Kansenfabriek – Transitiehuis Hamme and Leuven.
