Students queued for entry and the interest from companies was above expectations, making the first career event a huge success
The event was held on Wednesday in Emmen, at De Oude Meerdijk FC Emmen stadium. It offered companies the opportunity to present themselves to young people, both internationals and non, looking for work opportunities or internships. It also gave young people from Emmen and its surroundings the opportunity to get to know interesting companies and make connections, to help kick-start their career in the North.
Dick Lubbersen, spokesperson for the Drenthe college called it “a great success! For companies, it was a unique opportunity to present themselves to a young audience; not only to fill vacancies, but also to offer young people an internship”.
Make it in the North made sure that the event had both English and Dutch workshops, so it attracted the whole spectrum of students in Drenthe. Internationals are being attracted to cities other the Groningen, in the North, as the region offers courses that appeal to international students, such as “international hotel management” in Leeuwarden’, says Dick Lubbersen.
Programme components on Wednesday included a large business market, three workshop rounds, and a presentation of the OKE Scriptie Award by the mayor of Emmen.
Struggle for talent- Make it in the North can help
A struggle has arisen in the Northern Dutch economy for young talent. On one hand, this is because strong economic growth has created a large amount of vacancies. On the other hand, job opportunities are being created due to a rapidly-ageing population. The vacant places cannot always be filled in easily with existent talent in the North: that is why the labor market position of international students who want to stay in the Northern Netherlands also seems to be growing more and more attractive.
This has given rise to Make it in the North, which partly aims to give international talent a chance at work, but also aims to bolster the Northern economy, Make it in the North. Make it in the North has a unique job bank, especially for internationals, as well as a number of online tools to help companies get International.
As part of Make it in the North, various career events are held across Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. For the event in Emmen, Make it in the North was an organising party, along with the Drenthe College and NHL Stenden University.