It is not always easy to find candidates for jobs in Brussels. What if hosting a young person through a "Stage First" in collaboration with Actiris was one of the solutions? Here is an illustration with Dylan, hired by the City of Brussels as a gravedigger.
In a job market where vacancies are numerous and candidates sometimes scarce, recruiting is not always simple. "At the City of Brussels, we have a great diversity of professions and job offers, both administrative and technical," explains Manon De Greef, recruiter at the recruitment and mobility department of the City of Brussels. And when it comes to recruiting a gravedigger, finding candidates is even more complicated. "That is also why we collaborate with Actiris and found a candidate through the "Stage First"
A First Internship to discover and test serious candidates
What is a "Stage First"? "A measure aimed at offering young Brussels residents a first experience in the labor market," describes Nawal El Mimouni, job coach at Actiris. "For employers, it allows them to discover serious potential candidates at a reduced cost. The intern begins an internship period of 3 to 6 months at the workplace, and if everything goes well, the employer can offer them a contract." If not, the internship can be terminated by all parties without a notice period. Employers can thus test candidates for a few months without taking too much risk. "We know how much a bad hire can cost employers," Manon De Greef continues. "There is less risk here, and it is also very rewarding to be able to help unemployed youth gain experience and find a first job."
Collaboration and support at every stage
This is exactly what Dylan experienced, moving from a 6-month First Internship to a permanent (CDI) position as a gravedigger for the City of Brussels. "It is a particular profession, involving contact with death, and when we propose this kind of job, most candidates are reluctant," the recruiter adds. This is where Actiris comes in. "Thanks to their research and coaching work with candidates, they were able to suggest Dylan, a candidate interested in the role." This was no accident, as the City has been collaborating with Actiris for years within the framework of First Internships. But how does it work in practice? "We handle the pre-selection of candidates; we act as a first filter, in a way," explains Nawal El Mimouni. "We do an initial selection and a first interview to get to know them before sending their CV to the employer. We meet them a second time for coaching and preparation for the job interview." Once the profile is selected by the employer, a third interview is organized, and if it is conclusive, the candidate can begin their First Internship.
An internship that leads to a permanent contract
Dylan went through this process a little over a year ago. This 25-year-old Brussels resident started a 3-month "Stage First" as a gravedigger before it was extended for a further period, eventually leading to his first permanent contract. "I was supervised and also immediately considered a member of the team. I learned a lot, and after my internship period, I was able to be hired because my managers were happy," explains Dylan, who notes that without the First Internship, he probably wouldn't have landed this job. And without the First Internship, the City of Brussels would likely have had an even harder time finding a gravedigger...
What if you also gave a professional "YES" to a young job seeker? Discover how the "Stage First" can help you with your recruitment. More information and a contact form are available at actiris.brussels or by calling our consultants at 02/505.79.15.
By Actiris
