As the Justice and Human Rights Foundation, we organized a two-day professional orientation event on April 19 and 27 to support refugees in the Netherlands in joining the labor market more quickly, confidently, and knowledgeably. This comprehensive event, titled “Career Orientation Open Day,” aimed to introduce participants to various professions, highlight career opportunities, and help prepare them for working life.
An Informative, Guiding, and Hopeful Start
One of the biggest needs of newcomers in the Netherlands is finding a suitable career direction and taking the first steps toward it. However, understanding the language, culture, and job market of a new country takes time. Responding to this need, our event allowed participants to hear directly from industry experts and learn what skills are needed in which fields.
Spread over two days, the event featured 17 different presentations. It covered both advanced professions in the tech and ICT sectors as well as roles in administration, logistics, the public sector, social services, and entrepreneurship.
Saturday, April 19: ICT, Data, and E-Commerce
The first day focused on information and communication technologies (ICT). Careers such as developer, data analyst, cybersecurity expert, tester, and cloud administrator were introduced in detail. The high demand for these professions in the Netherlands drew strong interest from attendees.
Administrative support roles (“Administratief Medewerker”) and entrepreneurship opportunities through e-commerce platforms like Bol, Etsy, and Amazon were also discussed. Participants gained key insights into how to navigate these fields based on their existing skills.
Sunday, April 27: Social Services, Construction, Logistics, and Public Sector
The second day offered a broader range of career fields. Job opportunities within COA, KYC analyst roles in banks, careers in construction, logistics, and driving were all covered. The session also included a presentation on working in NGOs, using the Red Cross as an example. Entrepreneurship and working in government institutions also attracted strong interest from participants.
Conclusion: Stronger Together
At Justice and Human Rights Foundation, we believe that with access to the right information and guidance, everyone can build a strong career foundation. Our Career Orientation Open Day event was just the beginning. In addition to providing information, we offered hope, motivation, and direction. In the coming period, we will continue this support through one-on-one coaching and tailored guidance.
