"As a municipality, we lead by example"
Bram Brouwers - Municipality of Laarbeek
Success story Municipality of Laarbeek
Many municipalities encourage local businesses to engage in social enterprise. In Laarbeek, they go further. By hiring no fewer than six employees through Senzer, the municipality itself is setting a good example. Bram Brouwers, operations department manager: 'Here we create a nice workplace for everyone.'
Wondering how inclusivity works for your business?
After years of working in various municipalities, Bram started in Laarbeek almost a year ago. 'I was surprised by the number of employees employed here through Senzer. That says something about our culture. As a municipality, we encourage organisations to do social business. But we also set a good example ourselves. Social entrepreneurship takes time and maybe some patience, but you get very motivated and loyal employees in return.'
Everything fell into place
Chiel Salet and Ine Fransen are two of those employees. They started at the Laarbeek municipality in 2017, through Senzer. Chiel as a messenger, Ine as a financial administrative assistant. Chiel: 'Occupational tests showed that helping people suits me. When I started as a messenger at the municipality of Laarbeek, everything fell into place. Here I support colleagues with technical, logistical or facility-related questions. For example, preparing coffee or helping with a printer that is not working properly.' This job was preceded by a long search, which was not always easy. I completed my design studies, but once I started working, I got stuck. After some wandering around, I started at Senzer. There, they saw what really suited me: they suggested a position as a messenger with the municipality of Laarbeek. I had never looked into such a role myself. I am very happy with how things turned out. Meanwhile, Chiel is officially employed by the municipality of Laarbeek. 'I think that's a great step. It was time to close the Senzer chapter.'
More self-confidence
Ine does work through Senzer at the municipality of Laarbeek and is guided by her job coach Jos Kerkhof. 'I can't handle changes very well, for example. I then discuss those with Jos.' But she is also happy with the help from her immediate colleagues. 'In the beginning, I wondered: can I do this work at the municipality? I didn't have a job for a year, which wasn't good for my self-confidence. Since then, I am no longer so insecure. I have grown enormously. The help I got from my colleagues contributed to that.' Jos adds: 'Success stories stand or fall with how our employees are supervised at their workplace. There is a lot of attention to that at the Laarbeek municipality. If they can't figure it out, I'm there as a safety net. They only have to call and I think along with them.'
