Nathalie dreamed of a job in the hospitality industry for years, but that was not possible. Like thousands of other people with disabilities, she does not fit into the school system. There were no alternatives to learning a trade. Until now, because daytime organization Samen Top in Dongen is one of the first places where Nathalie can obtain a recognized diploma at her own pace.
Nathalie takes a break from work: “I like that I’m doing a real education now,” she beams. “The fact that I have a disability does not mean that I want to stop learning. Hopefully I can work in the hospitality industry five days a week. That is my dream.”
“Everyone has the right to personal development.”
People like Nathalie, who have a disability or come from special education, cannot simply continue studying for a subject. After all, there are only standard MBO courses.
But this target group often does not fit within such a school system. They find it difficult to deal with full classes or the subject matter goes too fast for them. Dutch, English and Math can also be too difficult.
And so they fall by the wayside. After high school they come to sit at home or at the daytime activities. “But they also have a right to personal development,” says Judit Baijens, director of Samen Top. “There is little room for that in daytime activities. The main thing is that people have a good day and are useful.”
That while they certainly have talents: “They want and can work,” argues Judit, “only it takes longer for them to learn.” Thanks to a tailor-made training, they can move on from daytime activities, where they receive benefits, to a real job with a salary.
“We not only train the employee, but also the employer.”
Nathalie fell in love with the profession, because she first did odd jobs in the hospitality industry through daytime activities. Now she receives online lessons at home and applies them in practice. “It makes me very happy when I recognize the lessons in practice,” she says enthusiastically.
She can increasingly exchange the simple chores of the daytime for tasks in the service. Employers such as Nathalie’s have been carefully selected by Samen Top. “We not only train the employee, but also the employer and we catch them if it doesn’t work out,” says director Judit. They also agree in advance that the employee may stay after the training.
“I will only really belong here when I have a diploma.”
The industry courses such as Nathalie’s are an initiative of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, foundations such as Samen Top carry them out. People can learn a profession or part of a profession and can choose from three branches: horticulture, logistics and catering.
The foundation in Dongen is extra special, according to Judit, because they go a step further. “The industry courses are still a school setting. They learn theory in a group and then apply it at their workplace until they really start working there.”
For some people, that threshold is even too high. Where they miss out in the VWS programme, Samen Top is also looking for a solution for them. “Even people who want to take ten years or people who can’t read and write can participate. The only requirement is that they have to want it themselves.”
That’s good for Nathalie. She is anxiously awaiting her diploma, which she should receive at the end of this year: “Then I really belong here!”