Event Seeks to Connect International Talent to Companies Based in the Netherlands

Aiming to connect its students and graduates with Dutch and international companies, Wittenborg organised the second edition of its event Job Fair Central Netherlands on 6 June. Held at the Spoorstraat Campus in Apeldoorn, the day saw a significant turnout, with 360 visitors and 11 companies and organisations participating. Among the participants were Kiwa Nederland, Nokia, OVSoftware, TeamViewer, Corendon, IHCP Hotels, INK Hotel Amsterdam, Expat Center East Netherlands, Language Matters Recruitment Consultants, Haart Voor Jouw Zaak and Tentoo. 

According to Wittenborg’s External Relations & Event Manager, Sophia Faraji, the feedback from both students and companies was overwhelmingly positive. “Companies appreciated the opportunity to connect with a diverse pool of talented individuals, highlighting the value of a platform that addresses the region’s talent gap. One example of success is a student who secured a job at OVSoftware; it is gratifying to contribute to their career.” 

She added that many organisations expressed interest in returning next year, particularly with the announcement that the event will be held at the City Hall of Apeldoorn, promising an even larger and more impactful fair.

Created in 2023, the event provides valuable opportunities for networking and exploring career possibilities, bringing together a wide range of industries and offering attendees the chance to interact directly with potential employers. Moreover, it addresses the region’s talent shortage and plays a crucial role in promoting diversity and internationalisation, by helping to create a multicultural workforce that can drive innovation and global competitiveness. 

Faraji commented that she is extremely pleased with the outcome of this year’s Job Fair Central Netherlands. “The event exceeded our expectations in several ways. The significant increase in the number of participating organisations compared to last year is testament to the fair’s growing reputation and impact." 

Apeldoorn city councillor and Deputy Mayor Nick Derks, who was also present at the event, commended Wittenborg on the initiative. “We need technical talents, IT specialists and data specialists, as well as professionals in marketing, finance and logistics. We are happy that these students and professionals have chosen this region to study and work in, and we want to keep them here. And for our local companies, this is a wonderful opportunity to gain access to some of the best-educated and skilled international workers that our region has to offer,” he underlined. 

Wittenborg MBA student Raana Sotude Nikbakht said she thoroughly enjoyed attending the job fair and participating as a volunteer. “It was a very insightful and eye-opening event. I had the chance to talk to several company representatives, gain first-hand information about the opportunities available and receive valuable feedback on my résumé. I will definitely use the insights I’ve gained when applying for jobs and throughout my professional journey.” 

MBM student Koshali Aloka Nishadini, who also collaborated in organising the event, pointed out that this was her first international experience in volunteering. “Participating in the Job Fair Central Netherlands was a rewarding experience for me. It provided an excellent opportunity to interact and network with representatives from well-known organisations, learn about the industries and gain insights into career paths. From my perspective, events like this are beneficial for students as they enhance employability skills, offer exposure to different job markets and help build professional relationships that can be crucial for future career opportunities.” 

One of the employers who participated in the event is Erna van Poppel, of Haart Voor Jouw Zaak, who is also an official LinkedIn ambassador. According to her, LinkedIn is a great tool to connect the world, because students can use it to build a bridge between the network they already have in their native countries and the contacts they meet in the Netherlands.  

Van Poppel advised students to follow the LinkedIn company pages of the businesses they would like to work for and interact with their posts, to show interest. She also complimented Wittenborg on organising the Job Fair Central Netherlands. “This is a great way to show up and meet people in real life. I love LinkedIn and it’s very important for your career, but you also have to interact in the physical world, because that’s where business happens.” 

Sierk-Jan Ybema of Tentoo was among that organisation's representatives attending the fair. He explained that Tentoo’s mission is to help highly-skilled international workers in the Netherlands to deal with the procedures related to visas and company sponsorships. In his view, there are plenty of career opportunities for international professionals in the country. 

“There are many companies, big and small, with new ideas, and they are looking for people with fresh perspectives who can help them make this innovation happen. We need international talent, because there are not enough people in the Netherlands finishing their studies and moving into the job market. This translates into opportunities for international students.”