Dina enters job market via Hasselt Arktos starter project

Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 15, 2026 – Dina, aged 25, secured employment through a starter project jointly operated by the City of Hasselt and social enterprise Arktos following a challenging childhood. The initiative provides six-month work experience placements for young people facing employment barriers. Dina now advises others to seize available opportunities after completing her placement successfully.

The starter project targets individuals aged 18 to 30 experiencing social or economic difficulties preventing labour market entry. Hasselt municipality funds 20 annual positions across municipal services including parks maintenance, administrative support, and community care. Arktos coordinates participant selection, training, and workplace integration.

Dina completed her placement in the municipal green spaces department, transitioning to permanent employment with a local landscaping firm in December 2025.

Background on Hasselt-Arktos Starter Project

The City of Hasselt launched the starter project in 2018 as part of its youth employment strategy targeting NEETs (not in employment, education, or training). Arktos, a Limburg-based social economy enterprise, manages participant screening and coaching. The programme offers €900 monthly stipends during six-month placements matching participant skills to municipal needs.

Since inception, 142 young people completed placements with 68% securing permanent employment within six months. Participants receive 120 hours of vocational training covering CV writing, interview techniques, and workplace behaviour. Monthly coaching sessions address personal development goals.

Hasselt allocates €240,000 annually from social affairs budget supporting 20 full-time equivalents.

Dina’s Personal Journey and Challenges

Dina grew up in Hasselt’s social housing sector experiencing family instability including parental separation and periods of homelessness. She left education at age 16 without secondary school diploma, working sporadic cleaning jobs. Mental health challenges including anxiety delayed employment attempts through traditional channels.

Social services referred Dina to Arktos in March 2025 following repeated job centre rejections. Initial assessment identified low self-confidence and skills gaps requiring structured support.

Dina described her childhood as marked by frequent relocations and limited family support networks.

Application and Selection Process

Arktos conducted three assessment interviews evaluating Dina’s motivation, basic skills, and employability potential. Selection prioritised candidates demonstrating commitment over qualifications. Dina attended group information sessions with 12 applicants, undergoing aptitude testing and personal interviews.

The municipal partner selected Dina for the green spaces department based on her expressed interest in outdoor manual work. Placement agreement signed on 15 April 2025 outlined 30-hour weekly schedule, learning objectives, and evaluation criteria.

Arktos caseworker assigned to provide bi-weekly coaching throughout duration.

Daily Responsibilities and Workplace Integration

Dina’s placement involved park maintenance at Hasselt’s city parks including grass cutting, litter collection, flowerbed preparation, and tree planting. She operated light machinery after safety certification training. Team of eight permanent staff provided daily supervision and skills transfer.

Monthly progress evaluations tracked performance against competencies including time management, teamwork, and equipment handling. Dina achieved “exceeds expectations” ratings in final review.

Colleagues nominated Dina for “most improved employee” during departmental awards.

Training Components and Skill Development

Arktos delivered 40 hours of technical training covering horticultural basics, machinery operation, and workplace safety. VDAB employment service provided 80 hours of general employability training including digital skills and conflict resolution.

Dina obtained forklift certificate and basic first aid qualification during placement. English language module improved communication with international work crews.

Personal development focused on resilience building and goal setting.

Transition to Permanent Employment

Following placement completion on 15 October 2025, Hasselt Green Services provided positive reference letter. Arktos facilitated three job interviews with local landscaping firms. Dina accepted full-time position with Groenplus Landscaping commencing 1 December 2025.

Starting salary of €2,100 gross monthly includes company van and training progression to foreman level within 24 months. Employer cited Dina’s reliability and positive attitude as decisive factors.

Dina’s Message to Other Young People

Dina shared her experiences during Arktos graduation ceremony attended by 45 participants and families. She emphasised grabbing opportunities regardless of background limitations.

“Take the help offered, show up every day, learn from everyone,”

Dina stated.

Local media interviewed Dina for youth employment feature reaching 87,000 readers. She mentors two new starter project participants meeting monthly.

Programme Statistics and Success Metrics

Hasselt reports 84% completion rate with 71% employment outcomes for 2025 cohort. Female participation reached 42%, up from 28% in 2020. Average participant age 23.4 years with 65% lacking secondary qualifications.

Long-term tracking shows 82% employment retention at 12-month mark. Cost per sustained employment outcome €14,200 including all programme costs.

Partner Organisations and Funding Structure

City of Hasselt provides 60% funding through social cohesion budget. Flemish government contributes 25% via VDAB employment subsidies. Arktos receives 15% management fee covering administration and coaching.

European Social Fund+ supported expanded mental health module for 2026 cohort.

Participant Profile Characteristics

Typical candidates exhibit multiple barriers including early school leaving (72%), mental health diagnoses (58%), criminal records (23%), and migration backgrounds (31%). 67% receive social welfare benefits pre-programme.

Post-placement, 91% report improved self-esteem per standardised psychological assessments.

Expansion Plans for 2026 Cohort

Hasselt-Arktos plans 28 placements for 2026 including new hospitality and IT administration tracks. Digital platform launches for real-time progress tracking. Employer network expands to 45 firms committing advance vacancies.

Budget increases to €320,000 supporting extended 12-month placements for complex cases.

Corporate Partner Testimonials

Groenplus Landscaping manager stated Dina demonstrated exceptional work ethic exceeding entry-level expectations.

“Structured work experience removed hiring risks while delivering trained employee,”

representative noted.

Seven additional landscaping firms signed partnership agreements for 2026.

Evaluation and Quality Assurance Measures

Independent evaluation by University of Hasselt measures long-term employment sustainability. Annual participant surveys achieve 92% response rates. European Commission benchmarking rates programme in top 15% of similar initiatives.

Quality framework includes monthly partner meetings and annual audits.

Government Policy Context

Flemish government’s Youth Guarantee implementation targets 65% employment rate for under-25s by 2030. Hasselt exceeds regional average of 58%. National Action Plan on Youth Employment 2024-2027 prioritises social economy partnerships.

Similar Initiatives Across Flanders

Genk operates comparable programme with 16 placements annually. Mechelen-Arktos model serves 35 participants. Regional coordination prevents double-dipping through shared database.

Limburg province allocated €2.1 million for 2026 youth employment across 11 municipalities.

Dina’s Future Career Aspirations

Dina enrolled in part-time horticultural management course at Syntra Limburg commencing February 2026. Company sponsors certification progression to site supervisor within 18 months. She purchased first car using employment savings.

Housing association approved permanent tenancy conversion from temporary contract.

Community Impact and Local Recognition

Hasselt mayor John Leman presented Dina with city employment ambassador certificate during council meeting. Local businesses sponsored participant Christmas party for 22 graduates. Newspaper profile generated 17 additional applications within 72 hours.

Sustainability and Scalability Factors

Programme directors attribute success to employer ownership, individual coaching intensity, and municipal credibility. 96% employer satisfaction rate supports expansion requests. Break-even employment cost analysis demonstrates 2.8x social return on investment.

Mentoring and Alumni Network Development

Arktos established alumni association with 110 members organising quarterly networking events. Dina chairs peer mentoring committee matching graduates with new participants. Success stories database supports fundraising efforts.

Corporate partners host annual career fair exclusively for alumni.

Policy Recommendations from Programme Data

Annual report recommends extending age limit to 35 and prioritising single parents. Mental health integration credited with 22% outcome improvement for diagnosed participants. Digital skills module expansion proposed for 40-hour curriculum increase.