Amsterdam to fast-track refugees into jobs, education

Amsterdam plans to launch a trial run in screening refugees on their abilities and so helping them find work or continue their education in the city more quickly. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs Lodewijk Asscher sees merit in this trial and promised financial support in a letter to Economic Affairs alderman Kajsa Ollongren on Tuesday, NRC reports. The municipality of Amsterdam will work with education institutions and employers in the region as well as with the central agency for the reception of asylum seekers COA in this trial. The initiative is aimed at refugees with a residency permit who are still living in refugee centers. The Amsterdam municipality, the COA and the Ministry of Social Affairs will get together in January to discuss how exactly the initiative will be designed. Employers in sectors such as healthcare, IT and logistics are desperate for more workers and stand ready to help the refugees, according to the municipality. The involved parties want to share refugees' information better so that it quickly becomes apparent what he can or can not do and which sector will be most suitable for him.