SER: Help Refugees Find Skilled Work, Not Just Any Job

The Social and Economic Council (SER) has advised the Dutch government to focus on helping settled asylum seekers find work that matches their skills. In a new report, the SER argues that current support often pushes refugees into low-skilled jobs, even when they have qualifications from their home countries. This wastes talent and slows integration. The council recommends better recognition of foreign diplomas, more language training tied to professional fields, and closer cooperation between municipalities, employers, and refugee organisations. The goal is to help refugees build careers, not just find any job.

What this means if you are learning Dutch or new in the Netherlands

If you are a refugee or newcomer with professional experience, this advice could lead to better support. It may become easier to get your foreign qualifications recognised or to access Dutch language courses that focus on your field. For those still learning Dutch, the message is that language skills are key to finding work at your level. Even if you start in a lower-skilled job, you can aim to move up as your Dutch improves. The SER's recommendations are not yet policy, but they signal a shift towards helping newcomers use their full potential. This benefits both refugees and the Dutch economy, which faces labour shortages in many sectors.

Read the original report