Job Shadowing in the Netherlands: A Step Forward in Education for Entrepreneurship and Social Inclusion

The Job Shadowing Experience in the Netherlands: Education for Entrepreneurship and Social Inclusion

Between 3 and 9 January 2024, two members of our association took part in a job shadowing programme in the Netherlands, organised by our partner, Drawing To Health Foundation. This activity took place under the Erasmus+ Accreditation in adult education (project no. 2023-1-RO01-KA121-ADU-000146934).

Objectives of the Job Shadowing Programme

The main aim of the mobility was to provide a structured experience in adult education, focused on:

• delivering educational programmes for developing entrepreneurial skills;
• promoting social inclusion and the integration of people from diverse backgrounds.

Activities and Lessons Learned

• Getting to know the host organisation - participants explored the values and mission of Drawing To Health Foundation, as well as its projects focused on entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
• Best-practice workshop - interactive sessions were held on teaching entrepreneurship models and using non-formal learning methods. During these, participants met local stakeholders and learned experiential teaching techniques.
• Planning and grant-writing sessions - participants gained a deeper understanding of the administrative side of running educational programmes, including grant writing and activity planning.
• Practical workshops - the topics covered included:
  • entrepreneurial skills;
  • business planning;
  • financial literacy.

Study Visits and Collaborations

A highlight of the mobility was the visit to Both Social, a local social entrepreneur. This experience included:

• brainstorming and conceptualisation sessions;
• creative workshops for developing solutions tailored to end users.

Impact of the Programme

• In-depth insight into adult education - participants observed the workings of an organisation dedicated to entrepreneurship education, with applications in social inclusion.
• Learning by doing - the study visits and direct interaction with beneficiaries gave a practical understanding of the impact of social entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Professional development - participants improved:
  • their communication and organisational skills;
  • their ability to adapt educational methods for learners from diverse backgrounds, including migrants and refugees.

Exchange of Best Practices and Networking

The programme offered valuable opportunities for networking and exchanging best practices between the participating organisations. The association’s members gained knowledge about:

• designing curricula for adults;
• quality management in adult education.

Conclusions and Outlook

The job shadowing experience in the Netherlands was an essential step in promoting education for social entrepreneurship and integration. It contributed significantly to:

• increasing the professional skills of the association’s members;
• developing educational solutions tailored to learners’ needs.

Through this programme, our association continues to support initiatives that promote social inclusion and the development of entrepreneurial skills, strengthening its mission to create a positive impact in the community.