Language and culture: your path to a career in logistics

The municipality of Utrecht believes it is important that there is "room for everyone" in the city. It wants to work together on equal opportunities, but considers proficiency in the Dutch language essential. Therefore, programs combining language, education, and work are central. Commissioned by the municipality of Utrecht, we started the Language, Work, and Culture in Logistics program on November 25 with our partners, Randstad and KIT Intercultural Professionals. The goal is to effectively prepare job seekers on social assistance—for whom Dutch language proficiency and knowledge of Dutch culture are barriers to the labor market—for work in logistics or for a BBL apprenticeship as a logistics employee (MBO level 2).

Connecting with practice

We achieve this by providing practice-oriented language support and entering into close collaborations with partners and, of course, employers. In addition to language lessons, participants will gain their first work experience through a work experience placement from Randstad. At KIT, participants develop intercultural communication skills and get to know the Dutch work culture.
An important aspect of the program is that the various lessons reinforce each other and are connected to practice. For example, for the target group of status holders, it is important to link language education and the development of intercultural awareness and communication with practical application. A participant should not only learn during the program but also be able to apply it.

Phase 1
The program consists of several phases. In the first phase, participants receive intensive language training. The emphasis is on general language improvement alongside attention to professional terminology. Attention is also paid to general employee skills. To connect the language to practice, participants are given practical assignments. Because the lessons are (partly) held at the employer's location, participants can carry out the practical assignments on-site.

Phase 2
In the second phase, there is still a focus on language improvement, but the emphasis shifts more toward professional terminology in logistics. Participants also start a work experience placement in this phase. Additionally, participants receive culture training from KIT, where they become aware of their own cultural lens and learn what is expected of them in a Dutch work environment, specifically in logistics (the work culture).

Phase 3
During the third phase of the program, participants complete an internship while continuing to attend KIT training sessions and many language lessons. These language lessons are increasingly focused on professional terminology and practice. Furthermore, KIT provides sessions for employers on intercultural awareness and communication to foster mutual understanding and increase the participants' chances of success.

Phase 4
The fourth phase consists mainly of work and job-specific language lessons. If necessary, participants can receive extra language lessons to prepare for a BBL apprenticeship or a job. In the final phase, participants are guided toward employment or education.

The language lessons

Better understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of the Dutch language is an important prerequisite for successfully following an education and performing a job well. At the same time, language skills are best learned when they involve 'relevant language'—language that directly connects to practice. Therefore, the language training focuses on two components: general language improvement and competency-based education using cases and practical assignments.

Language proficiency
Participants improve their language skills through intensive language lessons and the digital teaching method 'Link'. The teacher uses interactive working methods; participants practice a lot with each other and in the group during class. The teacher guides the participants with 'Link' and can view their progress, as well as personal bottlenecks that need work. For the BBL apprenticeship, testing skills and study skills are important. We therefore practice reading strategies, instructional language, and vocabulary. We encourage participants to engage in self-study and use the language in practice, for example, through language cards where participants fill in where they have used Dutch in the past week.

Competencies
Prior to the training, we coordinate the course goals with the employer and Randstad. Which specific skills are important in logistics and the relevant training program? We formulate these skills as competencies: 'I can...'.
During the program, there is intensive practice with the competencies so that participants not only can and dare to use the language in the safe setting of the classroom but also outside of it through practical assignments. In preparation, the theory behind the practical assignment is covered, after which participants practice in class. Then, participants carry out the assignment outside of class, preferably at the workplace. This creates a direct link between theory and practice.

Would you like to know more about this program? Or find out what TopTaal can do for you? Please contact one of our education advisors!

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