Unique collaboration between ASML and Summa for sustainable growth in Brainport

ASML and Summa are joining forces to strengthen the Dutch language skills of residents in the Brainport region who do not speak Dutch, so that they can enter the labor market more quickly. Taalkracht, part of Summa, will train 800 adults who have Dutch as a second language (NT2 students) up to language level B1 on behalf of ASML. The language modules are offered on a customized basis and are tailored to the direction in which the student is looking for work. Examples include healthcare, education or technology.

Language level B1 is required to participate independently in society. It supports following a training course, finding and keeping a job and building a social network. It concerns adults who are not employed by ASML, live in the Brainport region and are registered with Taalkracht. The lessons are expected to start on 1 December and will be offered both during the day and in the evening. With an intensive program of 40 weeks, the participants will be brought to language level B1. The lessons are free for the participants.

Sustainability strategy

By supporting this program, ASML plays an active role in strengthening the basic skills for this group. The program falls within ASML's sustainability strategy, which looks at how everyone can participate and contribute to the growth of the region. "There is so much potential in the region, but we see that language is a barrier. Both during the application process and in the work that people already did in their home country. In this way, we contribute to filling jobs, but also to the conditions for being able to participate in society," says Marjolein de Hooge, head of social involvement ASML.

Educational institution Summa is strongly anchored in the Brainport region. “With Taalkracht, we are in the capillaries of Brainport,” says director Régine van Lieshout of Summa. “This collaboration offers us the opportunity to help a large group of NT2 students, which means we contribute to the economic and social self-reliance of this group.” The progress of the participants is closely monitored during the process in order to properly evaluate the impact of the project.

Inspiration for other companies

ASML and Summa want to expand this project with other companies in the region to create a broader approach to strengthening language, numeracy and digital skills. By making money available to train 800 people, Taalkracht halves the waiting list of people waiting for language education. “A compliment to ASML that invests in basic skills for people in our region,” says Van Lieshout. “We hope that this example inspires other companies to take responsibility as well.”

Taalkracht

Taalkracht focuses in Brainport Region Eindhoven on making adults stronger in language, arithmetic and working with the computer. The non-commercial educational institution, in addition to people who have difficulty with reading, writing, arithmetic or working with the computer, increasingly trains knowledge workers and migrant workers in Brainport Region Eindhoven who want to learn Dutch.