This document summarizes a program that trains refugees to become certified solar panel installers. The program provides refugees with training in electricity, safety, tools, solar panels and mounting systems, and project planning. Trainees then receive InstallQ certification and are introduced to companies looking to hire junior installers. The program aims to address labor shortages while providing refugees with new career opportunities. It highlights the success of its first cohort of 8 trainees and encourages companies to hire from the program, noting available subsidies.

1. Certified solar installers
ready to join your company

2. Solar energy is among the fastest-growing sectors in
the Netherlands. Plenty of people are needed, yet
companies cannot find the right talent. That’s where
we come in.
We train motivated and hard-working refugees to
become solar panel installers. After the training, our
trainees become InstallQ-certified installers and are
introduced to companies in our network to start their
career as a junior installer.
“This opportunity to offer refugees a new start and a new career
is a great initiative. It
fi
ts great with how we are continuously
looking to see how we can help the people around us to work
both safely and as practically as possible.We are glad to be
part of this initiative!”
Robert Peters, Managing Director at Industrieel Klimmen

3. For our first cohort we selected 8
trainees from a pool of 150
applicants. Candidates were selected
not only based on their previous
experience but mostly because of
their motivation and drive.
TRAINING CONTENT
- Electricity
- Work ethics
- Safety at heights by Industrieel Klimmen
- Tools and roofs
- Solar panels and mounting systems
- Project planning and execution
- InstallQ certification

4. Hussein | Amsterdam Oliver | Leeuwarden Manhal | Haarlem Hamit | Breda
Abdullah | Amsterdam
Ahmed | Amsterdam
Obada | Amsterdam
Omar | Amsterdam

5. All our trainees have residence permits
which enables them to work in The
Netherlands like any other citizen. In some
cases, employers could be eligible also for
subsidies (EUR1000-3000) when hiring a
trainee for a full-time job.
“We are always looking for talented people to make sure we can
do the work that we love.With this project we can both
fi
nd new
employees and contribute to society.”
Rolf Huiberts, Founder Aton Energy

6. How do you make sure candidates are of
high quality?
Over 150 people applied.After a selection process we
chose 15 candidates for a
fi
nal selection day.After this,
we invited 8 promising trainees to join our program.
Do we need to pay THE SWITCH to hire a
trainee?
We don’t charge for any of the trainees.That said, the
training costs around EUR2000 per person.This is why we
do appreciate donations, to make sure we can help
more people in the near future.
Do your trainees have a driver's license?
Most trainees either have a license or are taking lessons.
Which language do your trainees speak?
This depends on the candidate. Most of them speak
English well and are taking Dutch courses.
Are there any subsidies available for
companies hiring staff from THE SWITCH?
Depending on the municipality in which the trainee is
located, companies can apply for loonsubsidie if the
person in question was previously unemployed (in an
uitkering).We can assist if necessary.
How can I get in touch with trainees from THE
SWITCH?
You can contact us through the contact info on this deck
and we will connect you to one or more candidates.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS

8. We support talented people with a distance to the labor
market to get a job whilst actively contributing to a
climate-neutral economy.
We are starting out in the solar energy sector. In the near
future we plan to expand to adjacent sectors (installation
of heat pumps, charging stations, home insulation, etc)
and other vulnerable groups as well.
We are building on the experience developed through
HackYourFuture, an international NGO that has helped
400+ vulnerable people get a quality job in the IT sector. COMPANIES SUPPORTING OUR MISSION

9. Overhoeksplein 2, 1031KS Amsterdam | +31611854455 | info@jointheswitch.nl | www.jointheswitch.nl