Connect matches high potentials and employers for mutual benefit. Former students get a job, and companies have easy access to highly skilled workers. This kind of assistance has proven necessary. International graduates who studied at a Dutch institution, have the right to remain in the Netherlands one year after graduation to look for a job. In this ‘search-year’, it proves difficult to actually find the dream job most have studied for so hard.
Camilo Contreras recently signed a new contract as a marketing associate.
Camilo was very well educated. He explains: ‘Back in Colombia, I obtained a Bachelor degree in ecology. I came to the Netherlands to complete my Masters’ degree in environmental and energy management, and to pursue an international career.’ For this purpose, the Netherlands seemed an interesting starting point because of its international orientation. However, language barriers limited him to realize his ambitions in the beginning. Until he learned about Connect.
Attract international top talent
‘Connect matched me with OPRA Turbines, where I work as a marketing associate,’ Camilo continues. The company manufactures gas turbines for power generation solutions and has many plans to expand its markets. ‘I mainly do market research on energy for industry and the oil and gas sector. My background and knowledge about Latin -America including my language skills are very useful right now.’
Camilo has worked for OPRA for five months, and recently signed a new contract. Sietie Zuidema, the coordinator of the project from the University of Twente: ‘We aim to attract and keep international top talent in this region. Camilo is one example of how Connect realizes this.’ She adds that other people are working for Pentair, Siemens or Indes, for example. ‘We do not only match people, we also provide Dutch language courses and assistance in writing a CV.’
Benefit to the company is that they can access good knowledge in the required field, with extensive insights into foreign markets of interest. Another added plus is that they do not have to worry about work or residence permits.
Selection rounds
The project was initiated by Saxion three years ago and plans to run for at least another 3 years to come. The project matches graduates from all disciplines, but there is special demand for experts in electrical or mechanical engineering.
‘The University of Twente and Saxion have very large networks’, Zuidema explains. ‘It would be a waste not to use that for this purpose.’ She adds that it is about quality and not quantity. Therefore, applicants have to go through a selection round. The next large round will be in April, but interested high potentials can submit their CV year round.
Zuidema stresses that it all might have the form of a traineeship, but nevertheless graduates are paid for their jobs. ‘They usually stay for at least 5 or 6 months, and deliver useful work in that period. Payment is only normal’.
Interested students may contact Sietie Zuidema via [email protected]
Mariska Roersen
