Port of Opportunities’ Post

𝗣𝗼𝗳𝗢 @ 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝘂𝗻 2024 Last Sunday, a part of our team participated in the Harbour Run Rotterdam 2024! Together with the team of Watertalent , we were able to run over parts of the harbour of Rotterdam that normally outsiders don’t have access to. Terrains where people are normally working got turned into a playground filled with challenging obstacles for all the participants. 🏃🏃♀ We had a great time participating in this run with our team. We believe that participating in local sport events offers many companies and organisations the opportunity to build team spirit and enhance community engagement. And not only that, it's a good way to stay #healthy together! PofO was easy to spot, thanks to our new shirts with our iconic circles! After completing this fun course, everyone got an amazing medal for taking part of this year’s Harbour Run. 🎖 We can’t wait for the next edition of the Harbour Run!

At Port of Opportunities, nothing makes us prouder than reading positive reviews like this one that was writen by Salman. Some time ago, we were able to make a great match between him and CTC b.v. and we are happy to read his opinion! Opinions like these on Google remind us why we do what we do — creating #meaningful connections between talented individuals and employers who believe in their potential. To every candidate who has taken the time to share their experience with us, we are truly #grateful! Your trust, support and kind words drive us to continue making a difference. 💙 PofO - Together for your future

𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫! The Dutch government has recently put a temporary policy in place that offers subsidies to companies that hire status holders. This policy lasts only until the end of September, though! The aim is to stimulate businesses to support their integration, while also providing a range of benefits for the companies themselves. From a financial perspective, this policy is a win for businesses. The subsidies help reduce the costs associated with hiring and training new employees, especially those who may need additional support to adjust to the Dutch work environment. For many companies, this lowers the barriers to expand their workforce and it creates more room for investment in other areas of growth. Particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, these subsidies can provide much-needed relief, making it easier for them to take a chance on hiring new talent. However, the advantages of hiring newcomers extend far beyond cost savings. By employing newcomers, companies contribute to a more inclusive and socially responsible workforce. These individuals often face challenges in gaining employment due to language barriers or lack of local work experience, despite bringing a wealth of skills and diverse perspectives. By offering them job opportunities, businesses not only help these individuals integrate into Dutch society but also foster a sense of belonging and purpose. Moreover, hiring newcomers can lead to a more #diverse and dynamic workplace, which research shows often drives #innovation and improves problem-solving. Newcomers bring fresh ideas, global perspectives, and cultural insights that can enhance the company’s adaptability and creativity. In short, this temporary policy aligns economic incentives with social responsibility. It encourages companies to not only focus on their bottom line but also contribute to building a more inclusive society. By hiring newcomers, businesses play a vital role in supporting integration, promoting diversity, and ultimately strengthening the social fabric of the Netherlands. Keep in mind that this policy is only valid until the 30th of September! If you want to read more about this policy, then follow this link: https://shorturl.at/64fPv

𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐚! Adrianna, born in Poland, has always been eager to learn new skills in the finance sector. With her passion in accounting, it came to no surprise that she wanted to look for a job opportunity in an environment that prioritizes teamwork, open communication and learning possibilities. After meeting with PofO, she has been working for Maas-Riva BV for some time now as an accounting employee! We asked Adrianna what her thoughts are about her new career. “Since I was hired at Maas Riva, I’ve learned a lot of things. I have been able to discover how to work with new accounting systems and I can speak with suppliers and purchasers in an official and common way in English.” By doing this, she said that she is able to develop her language skills a lot better, which she is really appreciative of. The most enjoyable aspect of her new career is that she can improve the skills she already had before working in Maas Riva and take those skills to a whole new level. “Now, I can learn how accounting works in the Netherlands. I find this so adorable and satisfying, because I can learn something new every day!” Read the full interview on our website. Follow the link in the comments for this and other showcases! 💻 Adrianna told us more about what the atmosphere is like at Maas Riva: “Maas Riva is hiring people from different countries too. Because of that, it gives me the opportunity to connect to the other nationalities that my co-workers have. We’re able to share out different #cultures and expand our language skills as well. This is something that I find very intriguing in the working environment at Maas Riva.” We asked Adrianna’s supervisor, Adriana (with one “n” instead of two, so don’t get confused!) about what her experiences have been like working with Adrianna. “What we saw from the beginning, is that Adrianna knows what needs to be done to complete her tasks and that she is very disciplined to take actions when her input is required.” Adriana tells us that Adrianna has adapted very well to the company culture and the working environment and that there weren’t any problems regarding this. “She is a great fit for our team. She is working together with her experienced colleagues to complete her tasks and her skills are perfectly aligned with the expectations we had before she started working here!” Adriana also spoke positively about working with PofO: "Adrianna is our first candidate from PofO, but likely not the last. The close follow-up and support from PofO have been beneficial for both the candidates and our company. We highly recommend PofO to newcomers who are looking to work in the port and industry of Rotterdam!" PofO - Together for your future

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐨𝐟 📣 To celebrate that the week is already halfway through, we'd like to share another #review with you. This time, it's a lovely review about everything we offer. We're very proud of these reviews, because it keeps reminding us that what we do, we do well! 💙 As always, also a big thank you to all the candidates, companies and partners we get to work with here in the port and industry of Rotterdam. Without your persistence and continuous #support, we wouldn't be receiving these amazing reviews. PofO - Together for your future

𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝'𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐄𝐊𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 Mohammed, originally from Yemen, joined Weka Marine with a strong drive to excel in his career. With a background rich in technical expertise, Mohammed quickly became an integral part of the team, impressing his colleagues and supervisors alike. John van der Stelt, Mohammed's director at WEKA Marine, shares his thoughts: According to John, Mohammed adapted to WEKA Marine's company culture effortlessly. “Our culture is all about working together with enjoyment, and Mohammed fully embraces this.” However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. “The only barrier we faced was the language difference, as we’re not yet able to communicate 100% in Dutch. However, Mohammed constantly practices Dutch with us, and his #language skills are improving day by day. For now, we manage with English and a bit of creative communication,” John explains. Read the full interview with Mohammed and John on our website. Follow the link in our account for this and other showcases! 💻 Mohammed reflects on his experience at WEKA Marine: When asked about Mohammed's performance, John had nothing but praise: “He has absolutely exceeded our expectations. Mohammed is an intelligent guy with a fantastic work ethic and a great colleague to be around. We’re blessed to have him on our team.” Mohammed feels well-integrated into the team and company culture. “The onboarding process was thorough, and my colleagues have been #welcoming and #supportive. The company’s emphasis on teamwork and continuous learning has helped me feel part of the WEKA Marine family.” He also highlighted the support he received: “I have received substantial support and guidance from both Port of Opportunities and WEKA Marine. They provided me with the necessary resources and mentorship to excel in my role. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions have been instrumental in my development.” Final thoughts on a collaborative success: Together, they highlight the value of the support system provided by Port of Opportunities. “I would highly recommend this experience to other newcomers seeking employment,” Mohammed says. “The support system and opportunities for growth have been invaluable in my career development.” John agrees, “Port of Opportunities is a flexible partner who matches the right person with the right company. That thoughtful approach has made all the difference.” PofO – Together for your future

𝐐&𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 💻 😀 Every few weeks, we organize an online Q&A event, where newcomers in the Netherlands can ask our matchmakers any questions about navigating the Dutch job market. We alternate these Q&A's with online discussions about (re)creating professional identity. We've met a lot of people through these online events the last few months. We were able to answer a lot of their questions, but at the same time have also learned a lot from them. We gained #insight into what things exactly cause difficulty for newcomers when trying to fine a job here in the Netherlands. So, if you are or know someone who would love to join one of these sessions once, definitely keep an eye on our LinkedIn page! See you soon! 😉

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 📣 Another week, another review that we would love to share with you. This time, one of our career coaches was praised specifically. Paula, we're so happy to have you on the team. Teamwork makes the dream work 🌈 🌤 ✨ . As always, also a big thank you to all the candidates, companies and partners we get to work with here in the port and industry of Rotterdam. Without your persistence and continuous #support, we wouldn't be receiving these amazing reviews.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞! 🏢 Port of Opportunities moved to it's new office some time ago. We are now located in Schiedam and with an amazing view, because if you look through the front windows, you can see the ever-changing #PortOfRotterdam. With new ships everyday, this view will always be breathtaking. With a bigger space for our colleagues to work at and the office being designed to match our brand perfectly, we'd like to give you a quick tour through our office. Of course, you are more than welcome to visit us at Karel Doormanweg 9D, Schiedam! Together for your future!

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 📣 By doing our job, we help newcomers find their dream career within the port and industry of Rotterdam. Thereby we also assist this beautiful sector in finding the right people for the many current open vacancies. Of course, it is always really nice to see our hard work is paying off. We are not ones to toot our own horns, but some of the reviews we receive are too nice not to share! Reviews like these (online and in person) are the reason we are so #motivated to continue our work. We're thankful for all the candidates, companies and partners we get to work with here in the port and industry of Rotterdam. Without your persistence and continuous #support, we wouldn't be receiving these amazing reviews.