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Helping people with a distance to the labor market find a job (Social Return), that's what Ampliar has been extremely successful at since 1995. The company has traditionally had a strong focus on the construction and infrastructure sector. With Project STIP, Ampliar goes one step further and guides job seekers in training to become specialists in the construction and infrastructure sector. An interview with Dyon Hellemons, regional manager Haaglanden and Zeeland at Ampliar.
Ampliar is an organization with national coverage. Annually, the company helps about 500 candidates with a distance to the labor market find a job. "Our people are employed and live throughout the country," said Hellemons, who himself has been employed by Ampliar since April 2012. "In recent years we have contributed to beautiful projects. For example, we provided porters and traffic controllers during the construction of Westfield Mall of the Netherlands and have been involved in the RijnlandRoute for several years." The new road link from Katwijk through the south of Leiden to the A4 near Zoeterwoude is divided into four sub-projects. "For four years now we have been providing porters and traffic controllers, and regularly run 24-hour shifts. We also provide administrative staff, construction clean-up workers and neighborhood concierges. All as part of Social Return."
In tenders, it is usually required or encouraged to fill in a percentage of the contract sum through Social Return. Hellemons: "With our years of experience and knowledge of local regulations, we can completely relieve construction and infra contractors in this area. We are a recognized social enterprise and are PSO30+ certified, demonstrating that we literally stand behind our people. Besides helping people with a disadvantage on the labor market find a job, we also support and guide them, for example, in eliminating debt or finding suitable housing. We take away all their worries, so to speak, so that they can fully focus on reintegration into the labor market. Our approach is also that our people eventually move on to a permanent job with a construction or infrastructure contractor. Then the flag goes up with us."
Project STIP. is a joint initiative of Boskalis Netherlands and Ampliar to help job seekers find permanent jobs in the infrastructure sector. "Boskalis is facing an outflow of subject specialists in the coming years due to reaching retirement age, while the influx at the front end is lagging behind," says Hellemons. "To turn that tide, a development program to become a subject specialist has been set up, in which we as Ampliar are responsible for recruitment and selection, temporary employment and the necessary guidance and support. Participants participate in a development track over a period of one and a half years and are trained to become subject specialists. At the end of the training program, an assessment is made as to where the person will fit in best and is offered a permanent job from Boskalis Netherlands. Project STIP. is not aimed at Social Return, but primarily at preparing job seekers with an affinity for the construction and infrastructure sector for a permanent job in this exciting field. Experience is not required."
