Article: Labor market tightness? Make the pool larger and more interesting
At Woman & Work, we share stories and insights related to inclusivity, collaboration, and sustainable labor market solutions. This article was written by Judith Bach, program manager at the Brainport Human Campus and co-initiator of the Woman & Work project group within the Driessen Group.
From diplomas to motivations
The current labor market demands flexibility and people who want and can learn. It is a waste to continue selecting based on a diploma. The question should be: what can someone do, what do they want, and what (life) experiences do they bring with them? Because skills are not only developed in the workplace. They can also be gained at home, through volunteer work, or in a caregiving role. That experience matters! By looking more broadly, other target groups come into view, and the pool we fish from suddenly becomes a lot larger and more interesting.
A great example is ‘Strong in Work’. An initiative on campus that focuses on women who are on benefits and have a single-parent family. They are financially struggling and bear the responsibility for raising their children. It is super complex and difficult for them to find a job. By participating in the Strong in Work program, these women succeed. They are matched with employers from the region, where they work under the guidance of job coaches, gradually rediscovering their talents and motivations, and often transitioning to sustainable employment!
Just start and do it together
The mentioned examples originated from an idea, from collaboration, and from committed individuals who dared to take the first step. Too often, good ideas remain stuck in plans. Because the goal seems so massive, the first step appears too complicated. The first step is often the most important, but it doesn’t have to be perfect. My advice: just start. Open the door. Start the conversation. And above all: get moving. With something small and concrete. Once you start moving, energy is generated and people are eager to join you when they see it makes a difference.
And the beautiful thing is: you don’t have to do it alone. Here on the Brainport Human Campus, there is so much knowledge, experience, and network available. Come by, ask your question, and you’ll be connected with the right residents. Whether it’s an HR challenge, social innovation, or a future-related issue. No matter how big the challenge is, if we tackle it together, it can be really enjoyable!
About the author: Judith Bach
Judith, program manager at Brainport Human Campus, is a creative thinker who is passionate about projects and initiatives that make an impact on people, work, and society. She knows the Brainport region and connects organizations and individuals to turn good ideas into promising projects. She is particularly enthusiastic about collaborations between education, business, and government, as well as social innovations. At the Human Campus, she is one of the drivers of the Learning Lab Foundation, where students and companies collaborate daily.
‘When you as an organization think about the future, you must also engage with the future. As program manager, I can usually be found daily at the Brainport Human Campus in Helmond. Here, everything revolves around the domains of people, work, and society. You will find, among others, companies with extensive HR expertise, educational institutions, and social initiatives.
The campus is an inspiring and highly visited location where work happiness is truly central. Daily, we host over 400 professionals, more than 70 students, and various visitors from organizations we collaborate with. In short, the campus is a vibrant place where I am very happy to work. Every day is different and brings new challenges. I love that dynamism and variety, and the impact we create together on the labor market.’
The power of connection
‘I am a true connector and love to bring together employees, organizations, and entrepreneurs to inspire each other, share knowledge, and seek out new ideas and innovative solutions that can strengthen the labor market of tomorrow.
Time and again, I experience how valuable it is to connect parties around an important challenge or relevant theme. Solutions are often best when organizational boundaries can be crossed. Especially now, the tight labor market calls for a new way of thinking, looking, and, most importantly: acting.’
Want to know more?
About the Brainport Human Campus and/or the theme of Women and Work? Judith would be happy to tell you more, for example during a tour. You can reach her at +316-29637903 or send an email.