Over Leiden
Behind Leiden’s inclusive labour market work is a simple but powerful conviction: everyone has talent but the challenge is creating the conditions for it to be seen.
Leiden’s municipal social enterprise DZB has built its practice around this idea. Its An Ear for Talent Initiative stripped away one of the most persistent barriers in recruitment, namely first impressions. The programme allows job seekers with specific needs to introduce themselves through pre-recorded interviews. There were 80 matches, nearly 30 connections, and three people in employment within five months. Other regions have since adopted the model.
Employer engagement does not stop at hiring. Through regular workshops on culturally sensitive working practices, DZBhelps employers build environments where newcomers are genuinely supported. For status holders, the EU-funded At Home in Healthcare Programme goes further still, combining language learning, vocational training and practical placements in the care sector into a single pathway - with a home and a guaranteed job waiting at the end.