Partnership manager Lana Savic looks back on the NOS news broadcast of Thursday 26 June, in which three status holders – working at Arcadis – spoke about having a job in the Netherlands.

The news broadcast was in response to the report that the Advisory Council on Migration had published that morning: we have an untapped labor potential of approximately 330,000 migrants – that could match more than three quarters of the number of vacancies. Three quarters!

 At Refugee Talent Hub we have been aware of this for some time, but I am happy that the whole of the Netherlands is being made aware of it again: there are so many people who can and want to get to work, and making better use of this labor potential yields enormous benefits for people, organizations and society.

Talent Academy

 Fortunately, our partners are also convinced of this. Arcadis, our partner that NOS visited yesterday, has been working hard for this for years. They don't just say it, they do it. With the Talent Academy, a six-month program that is held twice a year, Arcadis offers status holders an internship to gain work experience. The Talent Academy is an investment in talent. The ultimate goal is a job at Arcadis, but if that doesn't suit, other options are actively sought.

 The success factors? A dedicated team member at Arcadis who is responsible for the Talent Academy, a well-thought-out program including language lessons and other support for the candidates, and guidance for hiring managers, mentors and buddies.

No charity

 Arcadis looks at talent, not where you were born. Working with newcomers is not a 'good cause'; it also benefits the company: loyal employees with new perspectives. These new colleagues help Arcadis to be future-oriented and agile. And what I also find very valuable is that we always continue to learn together, always looking for improvement. At Refugee Talent Hub, at the Talent Academy and in the collaboration. It is truly a joy to be able to work on this program!

 I am also very proud that Marwa, Fareed and Osamah were interviewed yesterday by the reporter of the NOS news. Together with Arcadis they show that it is possible, that it works, and that it is good for the Netherlands if more people with a migration background are working. I challenge all employers in the Netherlands: use the talent of all those people who want to work.

 Haven't seen the item yet? Watch the (Dutch) NOS news of Thursday 26 June 2025 (from 00:55 to 3:21).