An inclusive perspective to unlock the labor market

With that question in mind, THUAS, the Municipality of The Hague, and the Economic Board of South Holland are joining forces on Wednesday, January 15, during the conference ‘From Shortage to Opportunity’. A call to directors, managers, and decision-makers: help us think about the groundbreaking solutions our region needs.

"You cannot solve problems with the same solutions." A well-known saying that, according to moderator Watte Zijlstra, captures the essence of this conference. "We risk getting stuck in the same patterns of answers. But how do we truly become groundbreaking? That’s what we want to explore on January 15."

The conference focuses specifically on the ‘Big Three’ shortage sectors: healthcare, education, and technology. "We see that the need is greatest here", says Charina Ori from THUAS’s Inclusion Office. "Often, meetings are organized per sector: healthcare talks to healthcare, technology to technology. We want to bring them together. What can the Metal Union learn from a primary school board? And how does a healthcare institution approach retraining in a way that also works for a tech company?"

A new way of looking at talent

The solution is not just ‘more people,’ but ‘a different perspective.’ During the conference, we will provide tools to tap into hidden talent. Think of refugees with degrees from their home country who are currently sidelined, or career changers looking to retrain.

But it’s also about retention. "THUAS trains the workforce of the future, and students get their first taste of the job market through internships. If they encounter discrimination or an unsafe environment, we lose them before they even start. An inclusive workplace is not a ‘nice to have’; it’s a hard requirement to solve shortages", says Charina.

Bridging the gap

Watte Zijlstra, affiliated with the Global and Inclusive Learning knowledge center, sees another challenge: the generation gap. "Students entering the labor market today grow up in a diverse world. People currently working in organizations are often not used to that. There’s a discrepancy. Inclusion doesn’t mean newcomers should only adapt to the company culture; the organization must also adapt to them. That mutual process is essential to retain people."

Why you should attend

The program on January 15 offers a mix of vision and practice. There will be workshops by the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) on the labor market, sessions on the use of AI, and panel discussions with various speakers from shortage sectors.

The organizers make a specific appeal to directors, managers, and executives. "Of course HR is welcome, but real change starts with decision-makers", emphasizes Charina. "If a manager dares to look at talent differently, the organization will follow. During this conference, you’ll meet colleagues from other sectors, share challenges, and find solutions you can apply immediately."

Register now via this link.