Champs on Stage Update November 2009

Champs on Stage is an initiative of the American Chamber in the Netherlands, launched in September 2007. It offers Vmbo students a solid career program in the 3rd and 4th years of their studies. Champs on Stage motivates young people in their school work and further study choices and thus helps prevent them from dropping out of school without a basic qualification. Business mentoring and short internships are an important part of the program. The intention is for the Champs on Stage Foundation, with support from sponsors and local government, to grow in a sustainable manner. Thus the gap between business and education is reduced and the opportunities increased of many pupils in lower secondary professional education. 

 

Unique Career Program

During the unique Champs on Stage career program participating Vmbo students receive a real life impression of the labor market and work situation. The comprehensive program aims to motivate further study and to provide students with real perspectives for their future. The program also aims to contribute to dropout prevention.

 

Much More than a two week Internship

Champs on Stage does much more than just organizing a two week job training period. In preparation for the internships, workshops are organized and the students trained to articulate their motivation and writing a job application letter. Using role-playing students practice for the interview. Giving information to the schools and business presentations are an essential part of the program. After the internship an evaluation takes place with the student, the school and the participating company.

 

Business Mentors

During their internship the students are supervised by employees of the company itself - business mentors. These are professionals who care about and work with young people and who themselves want to develop leadership capabilities. They receive training from the Champs on Stage Foundation that focuses on coaching young people. The company mentors are responsible for individual interviews with the students before, during and after the internship.

Champs on Stage - Facts and Figures

During the past school year (2008-2009) Champs on Stage has introduced over 460 third and fourth year Vmbo students in Rotterdam and Amsterdam to a hands-on business experience. This has been done with the cooperation of:

5 schools in Rotterdam
2 schools in Amsterdam
140 companies with 170 business mentors in Rotterdam
42 companies with 69 business mentors in Amsterdam

In the school year 2009-2010 some 900 Vmbo students from 15 different schools in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague will be guided and counseled in acquainting them with business and industry. Through this introduction to the labor market, students receive a better picture of potential career possibilities. Moreover, they learn what is needed to function properly in the labor market and can base their career choice on their own practical experience.
 
 
Ambitions
 
 
4th year students
3rd year students
2008-2009
105
355
2009-2010
320
580
2010-2011
520
825
2011-2012
745
1200
 
Program to grow to encompass at least 5 cities

 
Champs on Stage Full Program Sponsors


Alpinvest
Essent
ING Group
McKinsey & Company
Merck Sharp & Dohme
OVG Project
Randstad
TNT
UPC
Gemeente Rotterdam (Pact op Zuid)
Gemeente Amsterdam
Gemeente Den Haag

In addition, to date 182 companies have actively participated in Champs on Stage by guiding and counseling one or more Champs.

 

You want to become a sponsor of Champs on Stage?
Thanks to the current full program sponsors, the founding partners and the local communities we already offer over 900 students in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and The Hague a valuable internship and further guidance. Are you interested in Champs on Stage and want to participate and/or support the program? Then become a sponsor. You can become a sponsor for 5000 Euro per year.

 

Do you want to support Champs on Stage? Please contact riette.blacquiere@amcham.nl