Today, twenty job seekers in Beringen boarded a bus for a Construction Safari through West-Limburg. This initiative, a collaboration between West-Limburg Werkt, VDAB, CVO De Verdieping, and Constructiv, aims to provide people with an accessible introduction to the construction industry, thereby stimulating recruitment for training programs and jobs.
The need for new workers in construction is significant. In West-Limburg, VDAB received 553 vacancies in the construction sector over the past twelve months, with 118 still open. The Construction Safari aims to address this by allowing participants a full day to experience what a job in construction entails and what skills are required.
In the morning, the group visited three different construction sites in West-Limburg, where they were introduced to various professions and work environments. "Many people are curious about a job in construction but hesitate to take the step. With the Construction Safari, we want them to experience what a workday can look like and what opportunities exist to get started in the sector," stated Ann-Sofie Vanoverstijns, Alderman for Work and Activation in Beringen and chairwoman of West-Limburg Werkt.
In the afternoon, the group visited CVO De Verdieping in Heusden-Zolder. There, they received more information about training programs and gained practical experience through workshops such as spray painting and bricklaying. Joris Quintens, Coordinator of technical training at CVO De Verdieping, emphasized the center's long-standing focus on labor market-oriented training.
Constructiv also recognizes the added value of this practical approach. Davy Geerinckx, Regional Manager Limburg at Constructiv, explained that the campaign 'De Bouw kijkt verder' (Construction Looks Further) aims to highlight the sector from a different perspective. Practical experience fosters enthusiasm and more spontaneous contact between contractors and job seekers, lowering the barrier compared to a traditional job interview.
In addition to practical experience, there was also time for individual conversations to map out each participant's interests and questions. Joris Philips, provincial director of VDAB Limburg, added that the demand for skilled workers remains high and that initiatives like these are essential for bringing together talent and opportunities, referencing previous successful Construction Safaris in Genk, Hasselt, and the Maasland.
