A great job thanks to the World cITizens @ Work project

The World cITizens @ Work project gives status holders a unique opportunity to build a new life. In this retraining programme, participants undergo 10 months of intensive language, cultural and IT training. The special feature? From day one, they are guaranteed a job at one of Conclusion's companies. Esat grabbed this opportunity with both hands and is now happily working as a Security Services employee. 

From Turkey to the Netherlands: a new beginning

Esat is from Turkey and has been living in the Netherlands with his wife and young son for four years. ‘My wife is Turkish-Dutch. Due to negative developments in Turkey, we decided to build a new life in the Netherlands. Once here, I started a language course and learnt Dutch at A2 level. I also took a course to become a cloud architect. I tried to find a job for a year, but without success. When I emailed the municipality and asked for help, they pointed me to the World cITizens @ Work project. And I knew immediately: this suits me.’

Building a future in IT

‘I enjoy learning new things anyway,’ Esat continues. ‘And after my course to become a cloud architect, I wanted to learn to code.’ He was determined to take this opportunity. ‘To do the course, I took another Dutch course at B1 level. And it worked out, I was admitted! Everything felt new and challenging, but I knew this was a great opportunity to develop myself and build a future in IT.’

Fine lessons

During the course, Esat learned Dutch, the technical basics of programming, such as Java and algorithms, and essential skills such as collaboration and process management. ‘The lessons were intensive: 4 days a week we had theory lessons and the 5th day we worked on assignments or could ask teachers questions. The pace was fast, but the lecturers made everything accessible and gave us many practical tips. Thanks to the good teaching method, everything became a lot easier.

Lots of social interaction

Especially the social interaction with fellow students gave Esat a lot of energy. ‘We helped each other and gave feedback. That made the course fun.’ Now that the course is finished, Esat still has a lot of contact with fellow trainees. ‘For instance, one of them is my direct colleague. Conclusion also organises evenings when we see each other again, and workshops to hear how we are doing. That's very nice.’

A place at Conclusion 

After 10 months of hard work, Esat was ready to start working at Conclusion. He finds it very valuable that he was given this opportunity. ‘Gaining work experience is so important. As a Security Services employee, I and my team are responsible for authorisation management and managing a number of apps that almost all our colleagues use. I really enjoy my job and have nice colleagues. They are helpful and take the time to teach me things. I appreciate that enormously.’

Bright future plans

Whether Esat is proud of what he has achieved? Well and truly, ‘It was hard work, but it was 100 per cent worth it.’ He also has his goals for the future already clear: ‘I want to grow into an independent role as a security officer. Fortunately, I get the time and space to develop myself further, including through training and courses. What I also like about Conclusion is that I can work hybrid. This means I can take my son to daycare or pick him up whenever I want. Yes, I am really very happy that I followed the World cITizens @ Work route and that I now work here.’