It’s been two years since our latest career acceleration program, Career Bootcamp (CB), launched in collaboration with EURES Nederland and UWV. And we are in awe of the program’s reception and its accomplishments so far. So, before the seventh edition begins, we want to look back at the program’s success, gain insight through the participant’s eyes, and hear what some of the people who make it possible have to say.
A Needed Collaboration
The Expat Spouses Initiative has run Career Bootcamp for many years so when an opportunity to combine our facilitation and access to the international community with the highly trained experts and company network of EURES was a natural progression.
Career Bootcamp is an intensive program that offers three workshops led by EURES experts on specific areas related to landing a job in the Netherlands. Each workshop provides invaluable information and advice to prepare and improve participants’ job application toolkit: their CV, LinkedIn profile, and interview skills. Participants are professionals who are already close to labour market with skills in tech, IT or have years of experience in other fields but need pragmatic tips and advice.
The program’s goal is to quickly advance professionals with market-ready skills into jobs that match their professional ambitions and qualifications in the local labour market.
It’s in the Numbers
Overall, 65% of participants from Career Bootcamp editions 1-5 either found a job or became entrepreneurs in the Netherlands after completing the program. 40.5% are working within six months after the programs end, with more than half working within a year.
There have been six editions and over 52 participants so far, but the numbers above only reflect editions 1-5 since the latest edition has yet to reach the six months after completion threshold.
In Their Own Words
But the program’s success goes beyond mere numbers. It has made a positive impact on the lives and careers of international talents.
“For me [it] represented the opportunity to ramp up my career in the Netherlands with a clear understanding of how to do it in the Dutch market. I was able to create a new integral curriculum vitae, I understood the Dutch people are also interested in who I am as a person, I gained confidence in myself for an interview, and I realized the importance of connecting.” — Alma Flores, Edition 3
“The Career Bootcamp reminded me of my strengths and gave me the guidance I needed to apply them in the Dutch job market. The support I received made all the difference in this transition, and I’m truly grateful for the experience.”
— Estefanie Rocha, Edition 5
“My experience was amazing! […] The part I enjoyed the most was connecting with wonderful and incredibly talented people. My group was full of rockstars—professionals on a similar journey, trying to understand the job market in a new country so they could bring their best skills and continue building their careers.”
— David Sarria, Edition 5
It Takes a Village
Have you ever heard the proverb, “it takes a village, to raise a child”? In this case, it takes a dedicated team to provide quality programs like Career Bootcamp for the international community. And it wouldn’t be possible without our partners, EURES Nederland and UWV, and their expert trainers Eveline van der Horst, Els Lugtenberg, and Rob Kobben, leading the workshops. Here are some insights from these incredible people.
“By providing practical tips about a CV and a typical Dutch job interview, we help individuals confidently apply for positions and thrive in their professional journey. The program adds value by guiding participants through practical, real-world job application strategies, boosting their confidence and helping them secure meaningful work opportunities in the Netherlands.” — Eveline van der Horst, trainer, EURES Nederland
“The most beautiful thing after the [program] is that once they found a job, you see the pride back in the people’s eyes. Many of them, some soon or after a while, will text/mail you and telling you they found a job. That makes us proud and eventually they make their own success. We EURES & ESI are just part of their journey on their path to success. That’s why we have the slogan in the beginning and at the end of training: “Once they are successful, our job is done.”“ — Rob Kobben, trainer, EURES Nederland
Career Bootcamp is also more than just a career acceleration program. It also is an opportunity for the international community to network and foster friendships that make living and working in a new country easier, thus adding to the retention of highly skilled professionals in the region.
Accelerate with Career Bootcamp
Are you ready to participate in a future edition of Career Bootcamp? Then, please register to attend a Say Hello MEETUPS with the Expat Spouses Initiative. There you learn more about the Dutch labour market, our programs, and meet our community manager and other international professionals. Say Hello is the first step towards building you dream career in the Netherlands!
Thank you to the trainers, Eveline van der Horst, Els Lugtenberg, and Rob Kobben; Caro Velandia, ESI’s Community manager who coordinates Career Bootcamp, and Huis Naar Werk for referring participants. Your hard work and dedication help make every CB edition a success!
Career Bootcamp is a collaboration between the European Employment Services (EURES), the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency in the Netherlands), and the Expat Spouses Initiative.
