A festive kick-off of "Strong at Work" took place on June 1. A work and development program for single parents with income at the welfare level. The participants started two months ago. Since June 1 they are officially employed by the participating companies! It is a group of 6 single mothers.
Why Strong at Work?
Working hours that cannot be combined with (school) children, a job where you just do not meet all the (educational) requirements or a large hole on your resume. As a single parent it can be difficult to find a job. While these fathers and mothers have talents and love to get a job. To prevent this talent from being overlooked and because there is an enormous shortage on the labor market, the Driessen Foundation launched the Strong at Work program. We, part of the Driessen Groep, are one of the organizations that employs a participant.
What does the program mean?
Strong at Work is a work and development program for single parents with an income on welfare. The participants get to work in a specific job and gain (more) work experience. In parallel, they follow a group development program. This program focuses on personal and professional development. The program is guided by buddies. The goal is to offer participants a springboard to a structural job internally or externally that brings as much job happiness as possible.
Why is this trajectory different?
Employers are used to looking at resumes and cover letters and working with a defined job. But to create equal opportunity, a different approach is needed. When recruiting and selecting participants, their competencies and motivation are the starting point. In doing so, work is sought. This is done through job carving. In addition, the preconditions are important, such as the ability to work during school hours.
Good example, follows
Let the canjers who have registered be an example for other single parents. You yourself can make a difference! Also compliments to the companies and teams who participate in this program and dare to look at work differently.
Are you an employer struggling to find suitable workers? Do you value corporate social responsibility and see the benefits of being an inclusive employer? Please feel free to contact Bianca van Lieshout of Sterk aan het Werk and/or read more about the initiative on the website of the Driessen Foundation.
Participants tell
It is not only us who are enthusiastic! In this video, participants tell what the program means to them and working within the family of companies of Driessen Groep.
Strength at Work is an initiative of Driessen Foundation. It is co-designed in cooperation with Driessen and partners from the region including the Municipality of Helmond, Senzer and LEV Groep.