Job offers in the Netherlands, including seasonal work, are published in larger quantities during the harvest periods of vegetables and fruits. It is not a surprise, because the Netherlands, despite the small area of the country, is the largest producer and exporter of food in Europe. Moreover, in belongs to the worldwide lead in that area, together with the United States, China, India and Canada.
Where to find a job in the Netherlands?
Data from the UVW – the Dutch employment office (with full information on job vacancies available on the website), for the first quarter of 2019 illustrate which trades of the technical work sector officially declared demand for employees. This data includes not only seasonal work, but also permanent job offers.
In the first quarter of 2019, 73,900 technical employees were procured. Below you can see selected trades showing chances for employment and necessary qualifications:
- Machine mechanics – 11300
- Auxiliary construction and industry – 9,000
- Electricians and electronic engineers – 8300
- Engineers and nature engineers – 5700
- Metal workers and construction workers – 4,200
- Plumbers and pipefitters – 3800
- Production machines operators – 3700
- Carpenters – 3000
- Finishing workers and construction workers – 2200 and 1800
Seasonal work includes e.g.:
- Assisting in hotels and restaurants (Horeca)
- Supporting permanent staff (seasonal increase in labor)
- Collecting plants, flowers and fruits
- Performing general agricultural work
- Performing cleaning functions
- Collection and processing of orders
- General construction works
The need for seasonal work results from an increase in demand for employees in a selected period of the year, not longer than 9 months. It is worth noting that seasonal works seekers can be found not only among students undertaking holiday work, but also by people who see it as a good opportunity for an extra income or as a chance to get acquainted with working conditions in the Netherlands.
Safe work in the Netherlands
People who decide to work in the Netherlands, also including seasonal workers, are required to earn appropriate certificates. A great facilitation in finding a job is, for example, having permission for a forklift or a lifting platform. People who want to work with food (e.g. food packaging) are required to have a HACCP certificate.
Professions of higher risks, such as construction, assembly and electrical works, require Basis VCA certificates. People wishing to manage work of increased risk, as well as self-employed providing such services on the market in the Netherlands, are required to have the VOL VCA certificate.
In addition, people who start working in the Netherlands should always make sure that they know who in the workplace, on a given shift, has a BHV course – the first post-accident assistance.
When is the VCA course needed?
If one wishes to take a job with a higher degree of risk (e.g. construction, renovation and finishing works), a valid VCA certificate is necessary before the employment can start.
The VCA course is a one-day course. Moreover, due to the large influx of foreigners, the Dutch law allows you to take the course and obtain a certificate in as many as 26 languages, including, for example, Polish, Romanian and Greek. The certificate is valid for 10 years.
Possession of the right certificates increases the employee’s chances of finding a job quickly.
