More and more international talents are coming to live and work in the Brainport region, and this is hugely beneficial to local companies and the regional economy. However, many of these employees do not have a strong social network. In fact, only a quarter of international employees feel connected to their neighbors or local community.*
Language plays a key role in this. Proficiency in Dutch makes work easier and strengthens the bond with colleagues, society, and the local community/neighborhood.
*Source: Survey of 400 internationals, May 2024. Newcom Research & Consultancy
Role of employers
Employers are a crucial link in the process. Research has shown that, in terms of priority, language support and support from the employer come second only to finding somewhere to live. This demonstrates the importance of employers actively contributing to the integration process of their international hires.
To ensure that internationals and their families integrate more successfully in terms of language, the Municipality of Eindhoven, in partnership with Holland Expat Center South and Brainport voor Elkaar, has launched a program - Employer-led approach: Dutch for international employees. This program has been specially developed for employers in the Southeast Brabant regional labor market who want to contribute to this joint mission and provide optimal support for their international employees. The target audience for the language courses is international knowledge workers, their income-dependent partners, and EU labor migrants.
The language courses are provided by three regional language schools (STE, Taalkracht, and Werkvloer Taal), with the employer being responsible for approximately 50% of the course costs in 2026.
Why participate?
- Enhance your international employees’ integration and employability
- Strengthen connections within your team and within the community
- Help internationals feel at home more quickly, both in their work life and their private life
For employers who:
- Are prepared to offer their employees language lessons, but do not currently do so
- Want to increase their impact by offering language lessons not only to employees themselves, but also to their partners
- Are willing to share their experiences and contribute to the continuous improvement of the program
- Are active in the Southeast Brabant regional labor market
How does it work?
The provider and the length, level, and format (classical or online) of the language course are determined according to the needs of each employer and their employees.
Also included is a clear description of any further measures needed within the organization to ensure that the program is successfully completed and permanently integrated into the organization (such as the creation of a language policy). Help is available from the project leader, if required.
What are employers expected to do?
- Actively encourage their employees to take part in the Dutch language lessons
- Have the intention to continue to routinely offer language lessons, based on a good experience with the program
- Actively engage in the Brainport voor Elkaar workgroup, where the focus is on knowledge exchange and sharing of experiences
Contact
If you would like to help your employees develop and integrate, and thereby contribute to our region’s core skills, contact Iris van Daal, Account Manager, Holland Expat Center South.
