The job taxi of the local government department will pick you up, wherever you live.
Remarkable steps are being taken in both Belgium and Switzerland to lower the threshold to the labor market. In Switzerland you can now be taken to your job interview by taxi, while in Flanders the free train ticket to your job interview appears to be an effective measure.
If you live in the Swiss canton of Zug, have a digital profile and want to apply to the Digital Zug Competence Centre, the job taxi of this local government service will come and pick you up wherever you live in the canton. In an effort to recruit the necessary IT profiles such as platform specialists, the digital center of the canton has introduced this unique measure. With a taxi ride to the interview, it is hoped to lower the threshold for candidates and reduce any stress during the interview. An application letter or a classic CV is not necessary - an e-mail is enough to set the vacancy taxi in motion.
free train ticket
In Flanders, job seekers can get a free train ticket for their job interview, which also contributes to lowering the threshold. The free, digital tickets can be requested up to one hour before departure via the service line, the VDAB's free 0800 number.
For many job seekers, mobility appears to be a major obstacle when applying for a job and working. Only 60% of job seekers indicate on the VDAB site that they have a driving license B or higher.
However, there are some conditions attached to the free train ride. You must be unemployed or work part-time and be registered as a jobseeker with the VDAB. You should also use the nearest train station - it's not meant to be combined with a trip to the coast.
According to former Minister of Work, Hilde Crevits, who introduced the free job application ticket last year, this initiative should help to tackle the shortage on the labor market. “We want to remove as many barriers as possible to make it easier for people to take the step to work.”
These initiatives make it clear that the shortage on the labor market requires creative solutions. Time will tell if the taxi and train will be the solution.
Source: jobat.be
