An interview with temporary worker James. A refugee from Ukraine

Was on

Interview

October

2025

5 min reading time

Recently we visited James' workshop. James had to flee to the Netherlands because of the war in Ukraine. Before that he studied in Kiev for his master's degree, but he could not complete it. This left him without a diploma. He didn't feel like sitting still and soon found himself at sorting company RSC Schiphol. There, partly thanks to Doorzaam, he obtained an mbo certificate.

James, geboren als Akintoye in Nigeria, studeerde vier jaar geleden nog in Oekraïne om zijn master te halen. Toen Rusland plots het land binnenviel moest hij vluchten. Hij kwam in Nederland terecht, zonder studie, zonder werk.

Ondanks zijn obstakels ging James toch aan de slag met zijn ontwikkeling. Met behulp van zijn uitzendorganisatie én Doorzaam.

“Tijdens zijn werk werd James erg nieuwsgierig naar het hele werkproces. ‘Waarom doen we dit?’ ‘Waarom doen we het zo?’ En dat is een grote winst.” zegt zijn uitzender Matthijs Knippen van YourSelect.

James werkt nu al een aantal jaar bij een elektronica sorteerbedrijf. Maar hij wilde graag meer weten over het hele logistieke proces bij zijn werkgever. Met de vergoedingen van Doorzaam kon hij zijn vaardigheden verder ontwikkelen.

Interview met James

We hebben het Engelse interview vertaald naar het Nederlands

Wat was voor jou de reden om deze opleiding te volgen?

Soms begreep ik onderdelen van mijn werk niet zo goed. Ik had vaak vragen: ‘Oh, wat is dit?’ Kun je dit uitleggen?’ Ik zag dit traject als een belangrijke kans voor mijn toekomst!

Wat heeft dit traject jou opgeleverd?

Ik heb heel veel geleerd. Ik heb veel geleerd omdat ik hiervoor vaak dingen zag die ik niet begreep. Het traject heeft me heel veel uitgelegd en me veel geleerd over logistiek. Ik ben nu een stuk zelfverzekerder. Ik weet nu wat ik wil met mijn carrière en ik ben erg blij dat ik iets heb op papier over mijn kennis over logistiek.

Wat zou je tegen andere uitzendkrachten willen zeggen?

Grijp deze kans, want je zult heel veel leren. Ik ben nu een stuk zelfverzekerder en heb iets op papier staan wat laat zien wat ik kan.

Wil jij ook graag jezelf door ontwikkelen?

Wij bieden verschillende vergoedingen aan voor de ontwikkeling van mensen die werken als uitzendkrachten. Welke vergoeding het beste bij jouw situatie past, kun je achterhalen door onze quiz te doen. Binnen een minuut weet je welke vergoeding jij kunt aanvragen.

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An interview with temporary worker James. A refugee from Ukraine

Table of contents

Interview met James

Wil jij ook graag jezelf door ontwikkelen?

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Stories of temporary workers living their dreams

Animation: the Opportunity Budget for temporary workers

Watch: What compensation from Doorzaam means for these temporary workers

Working in industry: do you keep everything running smoothly?

How Thys took his career a step further thanks to Doorzaam

2025: Continuing to grow together as a temporary worker

With the compensation from Doorzaam, Tony grew to become a foreman.

How Frank can continue to participate with help from Doorzaam

Working in logistics: indispensable and full of opportunities

How Diana increased her technical knowledge with the help of Doorzaam

How Marcel continues to develop in large green space with the help of Doorzaam

Ready to work on yourself, your future or your job prospects?

Find out within 1 minute which budget is best for you.

Grow in your work and increase your job opportunities.