The 6 biggest misconceptions about working with status holders and newcomers

The Dutch labor market is facing a personnel shortage in the IT sector, while at the same time there is a large group of motivated status holders and newcomers ready to start working. Yet there are still many misunderstandings about hiring and integrating these talents. In this article we discuss six common misunderstandings and show why organizations should invest in the potential of these talents.

They don’t speak Dutch, so they don’t fit well in the team

Although not all status holders and newcomers are immediately fluent in Dutch, many of them take a language course and have a good command of the English language. At Motopp, an English level of at least B2 is required. Moreover, their language development accelerates when they are active in a work environment.

They are not good enough

Many status holders have a strong educational background. They are often highly educated and bring valuable work experience, for example, as an IT specialist or Developer. The biggest obstacle is usually not a lack of qualifications, but the recognition of their foreign diplomas.

At Motopp, we select candidates with at least a college bachelor’s degree, which is a hard requirement. They also go through a careful selection process, which consists of two interviews and an assessment.

They won’t stay with your organization for long

Some employers worry that newcomers will leave quickly. In reality, many newcomers are actually looking for stability and a long-term working relationship. By offering them a warm welcome, trust and opportunities for growth, you increase the likelihood of a long-term partnership.

This is also proven by our experience: as many as 95% of candidates have a permanent contract with the client after 18 months. Why? Because it gives them stability in their lives, enables them to integrate into Dutch society and contribute to the Dutch labor market. In the long term, this results in loyal and motivated employees.

They don’t fit into the team

This is a common assumption, but often unjustified. People with a different background bring new insights, fresh ideas and valuable experiences. Precisely because they sometimes see things in a different way, they can contribute to better solutions and a more creative way of working. With good guidance and an open attitude within the team, strong collaborations and mutual understanding emerge. In practice, it often turns out that teams actually become stronger as a result.

It takes too much time and effort

Guiding newcomers to work sometimes requires extra attention, which is understandable. Many of them already have valuable work experience, but have to get used to the Dutch work culture and way of working together. However, that investment at the beginning pays off in loyalty, commitment and fresh ideas.

At Motopp, we support this process from day one. In the first two weeks, trainees follow workshops about the Dutch work culture, communication and cooperation. This helps them find their place within an organization faster. In addition, we offer intensive guidance and coaching for 18 months. We hold structural evaluation moments with both the trainee and the supervisor within the organization. This approach ensures a smooth onboarding and sustainable integration, without placing an undue burden on the team.

These people are overqualified

It regularly happens that Motoppers are seen as overqualified for the positions for which we mediate. This is not surprising: many of them have a solid educational background and years of work experience, for example as IT specialists or project managers.

Yet we deliberately choose to have them start at the junior or medior level. This gives them the chance to gain experience in a new working environment, to master the language and culture and to prove themselves in their role. It is a strategic step in their long-term development. Many Motoppers grow into more complex or managerial positions over time. In this way, we build sustainable careers together and strengthen the organizations in which they end up.

Would you like to know more about our traineeship and how we guide people to a job in the IT sector? Mail us at [email protected]