The new funds are intended to support interns and staff training
Translated by Thomas Ansell
As reported by the Omrop Fryslân, the Province of Friesland is launching two new packages of Coronavirus support for businesses and organisations that want to bring in new interns, or train their staff towards new skills.
From September 1, applications will be accepted for the two schemes; both have guidelines that are intended to stimulate businesses and organisations in diversifying their staff members’ skills during the economic slowdown caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.
Both schemes are being funded with around 300,000 euros from the Province, which hopes to get more companies hiring younger people as both interns and trainees. Deputy Sander de Rouwe (CDA) says: “in these times we wish to help organisations and businesses where we can. It’s more important now than at any other time. With our new support packages we want to help support businesses and investment in our education.”
Due to the Coronavrius pandemic, lots of recently-graduated and graduating students have found it difficult to find a graduate position. Potential places for interns or trainees have often gone unfulfilled due to businesses having other priorities, or finding it hard to accommodate an intern whilst Coronavirus prevention measures are still in place.
The subsidy is intended to being about more positions for students in everything from practical training, to MBO, HBO, and WO graduates. Especially important for social mobility, all organisations that offer internships funded by this new grant will have to provide a wage or stipend (hopefully around a living wage). New interns don’t have to be enrolled students; and for each 280-400 hour internship position a company or organisation can ask for 1,000 euros in support. Internships lasting more than 400 hours can bring in 1,500 euros in support.
The labour market in Friesland is somewhat depressed due to the pandemic, and it is hoped that the second scheme will lead more companies to train their staff to have new skills. The Province hopes to create a ‘learning curve pathway’ by paying companies to train their staff. Up to 70% of training costs will be covered by a subsidy, up to a maximum of 4,000 euros. Any organisation that’s signed up to the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK) can apply- and applications will be processed by Samenwerkingsverban Noord-Nederland. The fund for the scheme is also 300,000 euros.
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