International trainees arrive in the Netherlands for MOBILISE Program

On Sunday, June 30th, the Netherlands welcomed 36 international trainees for the mobility phase of the MOBILISE program. The group, comprising of 16 trainees from Tunisia, 14 from Ethiopia, and 6 from Egypt, landed in Amsterdam and will engage in a three-month training and work experience at Dutch horticulture companies. An additional trainee from Egypt is expected to join at the end of August, bringing the total number of participants in this first pilot to 37.

The first week of July was spent at Aeres University of Applied Sciences in Dronten, where the trainees participated in an introduction week. This program featured technical training on Dutch climate-smart horticulture, workplace safety regulations, and insights into the social and cultural aspects of life in the Netherlands. The week also included field trips to local companies, talks from private sector guest speakers, and an overview of the academic assignments the trainees will undertake during their stay.

Despite a packed schedule, the trainees found time to bond, practice cycling, and attend to logistical preparations for their new life in the Netherlands. Their enthusiasm was evident as they embraced student life at a Dutch university and looked forward to their upcoming work experiences.

On Friday, July 5th,the trainees, accompanied by their Dutch academic supervisors, travelled to their respective host companies across the country, where they will spend the next three months. A mid-term evaluation and training workshop is scheduled for the final week of August, during which the trainees will reunite with their peers and instructors from Aeres before continuing their traineeship until the end of September, 2024.