In collaboration with employers and vocational education, the municipality of Utrecht has developed a new learning-work integration trajectory called U-Match, the first class of which has started at MBO Utrecht. With U-Match, newcomers can participate in the Netherlands faster than through the traditional integration trajectory and we can address staff shortages. Within one year, they receive an employment contract, allowing them to become financially independent more quickly and find suitable work in their own field. Upon obtaining their diploma, participants are fully integrated. The first class, focused on healthcare, started this week.

Councilor Rachel Streefland (Asylum and Integration): “Newcomers bring a lot of talent, knowledge, and work experience from their country of origin. They are motivated to start working in the Netherlands but face various obstacles, such as lower recognition of foreign diplomas or language levels. Meanwhile, various sectors in the Netherlands are experiencing significant staff shortages. With U-Match, we help newcomers, together with Utrecht employers and educational institutions, to participate in society more quickly and address staff shortages.”

For all newcomers

All newcomers can participate. Asylum seekers can register before they have received a residence status. This allows asylum seekers to start working on their future much earlier. Although Ukrainian refugees are not required to integrate, they are also allowed to participate in U-Match.

Expansion Plans

Last week, the first class started with a program for healthcare that has been tailored by MBO Utrecht and various healthcare organizations, including Warande. The duration of this first program is two to three years, with MBO Utrecht providing guidance for the participants. The municipalitys ambition is to structurally expand into other shortage sectors such as construction and childcare.

“The way U-Match addresses a significant shortage in the labor market while providing newcomers the opportunity to contribute as caregivers in Dutch healthcare is fantastic. Additionally, this pilot is a great example of how we in vocational education help solve a major social issue: innovative, creative, and practical.” Thus Roel van Lanen, member of the Executive Board of MBO Utrecht.

Participants are trained to a higher language level with U-Match than with the traditional integration route. Since guidance no longer needs to be outsourced and participants become financially independent more quickly, integration through U-Match is significantly less costly than the traditional integration route.

U-Match is a pilot developed by the municipality of Utrecht, MBO Utrecht, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, and various employers with the help of European AMIF subsidies. U-Match is actively shared with other municipalities and educational institutions, and various parties have shown interest.

Help and Contact Municipality of Utrecht

Visiting Address

Stadsplateau 1
3521 AZ Utrecht

Mailing Address

Postbus 16200
3500 CE Utrecht

 

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