JIJ in de Bouw & Infra and Freshheads help talents find their place in the sector

Making Careers in Construction and Infrastructure Attractive

Foundation JIJ in de Bouw & Infra was established in 2025 with a clear goal: to make the sector more attractive to work in and stay. It connects (potential) professionals with companies, educators, and industry associations, thus taking on a guiding role within a complex sector. “We want everyone who is interested in construction and infrastructure to find perspective and direction,” says director Wiep van der Pal of JIJ in de Bouw & Infra. “From the initial orientation to sustainable career development.”

Too Much Information, Too Little Overview

For young people, students, newcomers, and professionals, it is difficult to find their way. Information about working, learning, and developing in the sector is scattered across numerous initiatives and parties. The risk: talent gets lost before it's properly started. “There is a lot of supply and a lot of good information, but the overview is lacking,” explains Monara van de Laar, communication advisor of JIJ in de Bouw & Infra. “We want to help people by providing them with the right information at the right time and referring them appropriately.”

 “Freshheads understands what is needed to optimally fulfill a connecting role digitally.” - Monara van de Laar, JIJ in de Bouw & Infra

Building a Platform Together That Provides Direction

To fulfill that role well, JIJ in de Bouw & Infra and Freshheads are jointly developing a digital platform that acts as an information and inspiration foundation for working in the sector. A place where different target groups can immediately recognize: this is for me. And where they are guided to a logical next step, through their own content or referrals to trusted partners. “Freshheads understands what is needed to optimally fulfill such a connecting role digitally,” says Monara. “Together, we are building a platform step by step that not only informs but truly provides direction.”

Business strategist Fee Schakenraad and her team are looking forward to working with the driven team of JIJ in de Bouw & Infra: “They are very driven to help the target audience further and want to organize and manage everything well, while at the same time we receive a lot of trust. We have even already spoken with several newcomers and advisors. With their input in mind, we are now paying extra attention to an attractive and user-friendly design. We are truly shaping the platform together.”

Also facing a sector challenge around recruiting, binding, and retaining workforce? Discuss it with peers during our expert session on April 2: https://www.freshheads.com/events/expertsessie-sectoraal-werven