“I was looking for a fair chance, and I got it here”
- Diversity and inclusion
Today is World Refugee Day. We draw extra attention on this day to all those who are fleeing war, violence or oppression - wherever in the world. ABN AMRO is committed to help refugees with residency status by offering them a job or internship through the Reboot programme.
A difficult quest
A great many people have sought refuge in Europe in recent years. Refugees who arrive in the Netherlands are registered as asylum seekers. Provided their request for asylum is granted, refugees are given a fixed-term residence permit on grounds of asylum. This legitimises their stay in the Netherlands and grants them the same rights and obligations as other Dutch residents. They are then referred to as asylum permit holders.
An asylum permit holder is an asylum seeker whose application has been granted and who has been granted (legal) residence status. But even though they have the same rights and obligations as you and me, they still face many obstacles. Finding a suitable job is almost impossible. Fleeing their country, they typically take with them only that which is strictlynecessary. Things like course diplomas and job testimonials often get left behind. And that makes it difficult to find a suitable job.
A new chance for asylum permit holders
In 2017, this inspired a number of employees at ABN AMRO to set up Reboot. Reboot is a programme in which we arrange jobs and internships for talented asylum permit holders. We do this in collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam and .Financial independence is a crucial aspect of being able to build a new life. It also increases confidence in the prospect of a stable future.
With Reboot, we are able to offer asylum permit holders the prospect of a lasting career. All "Rebooters" are put through an extensive one-year coaching programme. The programme offers soft-skills training, peer-review days, one-on-one coaching, and training aimed at boosting language skills.
The Reboot programme provides refugees access to full-time jobs in the Netherlands, while giving ABN AMRO the opportunity to fill vacancies for a range of positions within the organisation. ABN AMRO has committed itself to employing eighty refugees by 2021.