Successfully completed Vitesse reintegration programme
After one year of intensive work, the participants of ‘Vitesse Works!’ successfully completed the reintegration programme. The participants were invited to the match Vitesse Arnhem vs. FC Twente Enschede to celebrate the positive outcomes of the project.
‘Vitesse Works!’ aims to prepare participants for a paid job or study through a football program. This edition was especially for Eritrean men aged between 18 and 40 with a social assistance or Wajong benefit. The participants of the ‘Vitesse Works!’ programme have trained twice a week for a year on the fields of the amateur football club MASV. Football fits perfectly to this target group. The sport shows many aspects of the work, for example to work in a team. Outside the football training, the participants received extra training in the fields of applying, networking and in forming a realistic self-image.
During the programme Vitesse and Job-coaching company ‘Vision on Work’ started to place the participants in their own network. As a result, the participants attended more than ninety meetings and football training sessions this season. The participants enjoyed their participation in the programme and Vitesse and ‘Vision on Labor’ were grateful for the opportunity to revitalise their future. In order to get first insights into the Dutch labor market, the participants regularly visited several companies of the BCVG (Buisness Club Vitesse GelreDome) which included a visit to Decathlon, Visser Spiegels & Glas from Duiven, cleaning company SMB Willems and at the Sligro.
Participant Meron Tekeste concluded: “Vitesse gave me the opportunity to build a new life. Because the club helped me, I work now at PostNL in Duiven. I also start a welding training in September, which I am looking forward to enormously!”
Goal of the programme has been achieved
All of the fifteen participants have successfully complete these season’s ‘Vitesse Works!’ In total eight of the fifteen participants achieved a paid job or a paid training. Many sponsors were positive about the participants and offered them a function. Before the start of the programme, the goal was that 50% of the participants have a job within one year. By reaching a score of 53% the main target has been achieved. At the same time, the project managers are confident that two more participants can be offered a job or a training by the help of Vitesse and ‘Vision on Labor’ within short time. Then, ten of the fifteen participating men, who started the reintegration programme in May 2017, managed to score a paid job or education within one year.
After the participants have completed the ‘Vitesse Works!’ programme and have acquired a good job or education, they are supervised for a year on the work floor so that they can continue to build a new future together with Vitesse and ‘Vision on Labor’.
Vitesse Werkt!
