Motopp breakfast session municipalities

An inspiring breakfast session was held on November 7, organized especially for municipalities. Participants from different municipalities came together in a relaxed and informal setting to gain valuable insights and exchange experiences. This morning offered a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the impact and value of our approach. From 09:00 the guests walked into our office in Amsterdam. The fresh smell of coffee from Ruud’s coffee bar filled the room, while the breakfast table with fresh fruit and tasty sandwiches offered a warm welcome. Breakfast was the ideal time for a first introduction, setting the tone for the rest of the morning

Welcome speech

The breakfast session began with a warm welcome from Anna Maas, Partnership Recruitment Manager at Motopp. She spoke about the purpose of the meeting and gave an overview of the programming. Anna emphasized the importance of collaboration between municipalities and Motopp to jointly realize positive impact.

After her introduction, Jan Princen, co-founder of Motopp, took the floor. He shared the inspiring story behind the founding of the company and the position that Motopp has now acquired. Of particular note was his story about the motivation and potential of status holders. According to Jan, these talents are often enormously driven to prove themselves and make a difference. He emphasized that there are many smart people walking around the world, but that their potential is not always utilized. “By creating opportunities, we not only help them integrate, but also strengthen the Dutch labor market and society,” Jan said.

Then it was the turn of Sieuwert van Otterloo, Course Director, who provided insight into Motopp’s IT curriculum. According to Sieuwert, it is important to know the IT processes of an organization, as well as the various roles within the teams in the departments. Once the foundation is laid, it is also possible to continue working on the technical skills within IT. Here it is important to gain a more in-depth understanding of the ”interface” between business and IT, as well as how the business directs IT. Besides the technical aspect, there is also a focus on personal development. Several projects are worked on in teams. Here the motoppers discover their strengths and where their interests lie, but also the weaknesses and where even more focus should be placed for that person.

Finally, Wanda Compier, Head of Talent Development, explained the IT traineeship. Which consists largely of developing technical skills, but also the personal development of trainees. She emphasized the importance of communication, teamwork and individual coaching that helps trainees reach their full potential. According to Wanda, it is essential that Motoppers develop on a personal level in order to succeed in the Dutch work and job market. From her experience, Wanda sees the importance of personal skills to be successful in a Dutch work culture. The session ended with Anna thanking her and briefly explaining the format of the interactive workshops that followed.

Workshops

After the presentations, participants got to work themselves in three inspiring workshops. During these interactive sessions, theory was brought to life in a practical and accessible way, allowing participants to immediately apply what they learned.

Workshop: Getting to Know the Dutch Work Culture

The first workshop, led by our People Development Managers Vita Brummelhuis and Wanda Compier, was an interactive and inspiring session in which participants were immersed in the nuances of the Dutch work culture. The focus was on strengthening communication within teams, understanding cultural differences, and developing personal skills crucial for success in the workplace.

Communication as a key to collaboration

Vita and Wanda emphasized the importance of communication within teams and how misunderstandings can arise due to cultural differences. Practical examples were used to show how open and direct communication, a characteristic of the Dutch work culture, can be used to work together effectively. Participants learned how to give and receive feedback, and the importance of mutual understanding and respect in a multicultural work environment.

Bridging cultural differences

An important part of the workshop was about recognizing and bridging cultural differences. Vita and Wanda explained how issues such as hierarchy, decision-making and work styles differ from culture to culture and how these aspects can affect team dynamics.

Personal skills development

In addition to culture and communication, there was a strong emphasis on personal growth. Vita and Wanda helped participants further develop skills such as listening skills and self-reflection. These skills are essential not only for a successful career, but also for creating the right work culture.

Workshop: UI/X Design – a look at the practice

The second workshop, provided by Sieuwert, Course Director at Motopp, offered a practical introduction to UI/UX design. This field revolves around improving user experience with digital products. UI (User Interface) focuses on the visual aspects such as buttons, colors and layout, while UX (User Experience) looks at usability and how to interact with a product. The goal is to bring functionality, aesthetics and simplicity together so that a product is intuitive and enjoyable to use.

During this technical session, participants had a unique opportunity to experience for themselves what Motopp trainees learn during their training program. Sieuwert, started with an introduction on the importance of UI/UX design in the IT sector. He explained how good design not only affects the look and feel of a digital application, but is also essential for improving user experience and supporting business goals.

After the theory, participants went straight to work. With hands-on exercises and interactive teamwork activities, they learned to apply the basics of UI/UX design. They designed a simple yet functional user interface, discovering how usability and aesthetics come together to create attractive digital solutions. This hands-on approach provided not only a better understanding of UI/UX design, but also of the skills Motopp trainees are developing to add value to the IT industry.

Teamwork and problem-solving skills

An important part of the workshop was working in small teams. By working together on design challenges, participants learned not only the technical aspects of UI/UX design, but also essential soft skills such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving. Sieuwert encouraged the teams to be creative, exchange ideas and provide feedback, creating a learning environment that was both inspiring and challenging.

Workshop: In conversation with Motoppers

During this workshop, everyone shared in conversation form what struck them about the Dutch work culture. Everyone was asked to write down three characteristics that were typically Dutch to them and these were discussed with the group. This led to funny anecdotes and interesting discussions.

In the workshop, Mehdi and Milad provided insight into the nuances of the Dutch work culture in an accessible way. They discussed recognizable situations that often occur in the workplace, such as how to effectively give and receive feedback and how to deal with the directness of Dutch colleagues. The session was made extra lively by humorous anecdotes, which not only provided laughter, but also a relaxed atmosphere in which everyone felt welcome.

In addition to these cultural insights, the workshop provided a deeper view of what Motopp’s IT traineeship entails. Mehdi and Milad shared their personal experiences: how they gained not only technical knowledge through Motopp, but also strengthened their social skills. Their story showed how Motopp builds a bridge between different cultures, mentoring status holders and preparing them for a successful future within the Dutch labor market.

Motopp’s breakfast session was a success

It was an inspiring and instructive morning that focused on knowledge sharing, networking and talent development. Participants from different municipalities got a valuable ”look behind the scenes” of Motopp and the IT traineeship. Without a doubt, the breakfast session laid the foundation for stronger ties with existing municipalities. We now work with 150+ municipalities and have trained more than 250+ trainees to become successful IT professionals.

Are you curious what we can do for you municipalities and how we can guide more status holders from your region to work in the IT sector? Please feel free to contact us for the possibilities.