Source: European Social Fund

About 60% of the Netherlands' 30,000 painters and decorators face the problem of seasonal unemployment because of their narrow range of skills and professional qualifications. In winter, when demand for painting falls, many of those who have not mastered other techniques such as paper hanging and glazing must survive on unemployment benefit.

The problem is particularly acute for older workers, who are further disadvantaged by their ignorance of the increasingly important demands of environmental protection and quality control. From the employer's point of view, this inflexibility in the workforce places constraints on trade. Nor can these constraints be overcome by simply recruiting more workers, as employees are currently leaving the industry faster than they enter it.

A more creative solution was put forward by the Dutch decorating industry itself. In essence, the idea was to adapt the country's existing painting and decorating apprenticeship scheme so as to meet the needs of participants with some prior knowledge.

The practical details of the proposed programme were worked out through consultation between the Industry Training Centre and those decorating firms that expressed an interest. Thus, the number of weekly classes was increased so as to allow students to complete the course in one year instead of two, while participating firms allowed employees following the course to continue working for three days a week. An interview-based selection procedure for candidate students was also set up. All those with a minimum of five years' experience and at least 22 years of age are eligible, and students completing the course will be awarded a professional qualification.

The scheme was put into practice in August 1996 with 110 participants in 5 regions - Rotterdam, s' Hertogenbosch, Amsterdam, the Hague, and Bergen-op-Zoom - at a cost of ECU 1,194,013. About 35% of this cost was met by the ESF, while the remainder was paid by the Training and Development Fund of the Dutch decorating industry. To date, the experiment has been a resounding success, with just 15 of the original 110 students dropping out before May 1 1997. Student motivation levels are exceptionally high, while instructors and employers also declare themselves pleased. One employer commented: "It is easier to plan jobs if I can send my employees anywhere. When I'm drawing up rosters I don't need to take account of the fact that someone can't do a particular job alone”. This sentiment is echoed by an employee, who says "What I find really great is that after I've done the painting someone else doesn't have to come and do the paper-hanging.”

The scheme will be evaluated, particularly with regard to its impact on winter unemployment, once the first batch of students completes the course. However, the success of the programme is so evident that new courses are already being planned until at least July 1998, when ESF funding runs out.

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