Rotterdam (NL)

Background, context and reasons why the project is needed.

‘Pact op Zuid’ is a cooperation between the relevant city districts and housing corporations to generate a more livable and safer environment in the Southern part of Rotterdam.

‘Watch Out’ is a project executed by the municipal Service Centre Employment (Service Dienst Werk – SDW) in cooperation with housing corporation Vestia and the relevant city districts. The aim is to offer young people a job and training in the security branch. Participants will be in school 1 day in the week and work as ‘Watch Out’ neighbourhood security officers the other 4 days of the week.

Where there are buildings torn down in district as Charlois or Feijenoord extra supervision during evenings and weekend is required. The participants act as Vestia’s eye’s and ears and work along side the concierges and neighbourhood police officers. 

What are the project’s
objectives?

• Generate a livable and safer environment in the Southern part of Rotterdam;
• Offer young people at certain distance of labour market training and a chance on employment in the security branch.

How will it be approached?

‘Watch Out’ is run by the municipal Service Centre Employment (Service Dienst Werk – SDW). It employs the participants and conducts on site supervision.
Participants will receive training with the aim to become security officer level 2, within the year.
The diploma will facilitate the participant to hold their job in security.
The training, apprenticeships with security companies and guidance to labour market will be provided for by ‘Enter Work’ in cooperation with SDW.

What is the scope of the project? / What are its boundaries?

• Participants will be employed in the Southern part of Rotterdam;
• Participants operate in pairs and are in constant contact with a superior via radio telephone;
• The participants tasks are;
• To provide supervision in public areas and on Vestia grounds;
• To take heave of irregularities and nuisance, when it occurs;
•  To address vandalism and violation of the code of behaviour;
• To be available for inhabitants;
• To write daily reports and to convey irrigularities to police, Roteb (municipal sanitation department) etc.
• The participants work in 8 hour shifts - also during weekends – which end no later than 23.00u. 
• The participants receive their training on Mondays.

What are the intended outcomes? 

How can these be measured?

What are the critical success factors?

A yearly influx of about 100 candidates is expected.
60% of those are expected to finish their training successfully. Between 40% and 60% are expected to also find a job in regular security branch.

The project requires a sufficient influx of motivated candidates for a position in security.

Are there any constraints?

The wages require supplementation by subsidy-grant.

Are you making any assumptions?

The assumption is made that there is sufficient demand by employers for newly trained security officers level 2.