Nederlands 
België / Belgique 
English 
Polska
România 
Lietuvių 
български 3
When Robert (51) boarded a plane to the Netherlands a year ago, he didn’t know what to expect. No friends, no network, a new country. What he did have was a driving licence, experience as a bus driver and the determination to make it work. Through Consolid, he found his place and now drives a bus through the centre of Amsterdam.
Six o’clock in the morning. Robert gets behind the wheel of his 18-metre bus and starts route 397: from Nieuw-Vennep, along the motorway and into the heart of Amsterdam. A year ago, he didn’t know anyone here. Now he knows the route like the back of his hand.
Through 24/7 drive and Consolid, he came to the Netherlands from his home country, Romania. Life there had become increasingly difficult. “In Romania, you work 10 hours a day for very little money. Nowhere near enough to live on. In the Netherlands, things are much better organised and there is a shortage of drivers. I decided to take the chance and move to the Netherlands.”
It was a big step, but Robert has now found his feet. “The passengers here are friendly. They smile and say hello. And everyone speaks English.” The support from Consolid also played an important role. “It’s nice to work through an employment agency. I didn’t know anyone here and this isn’t my home country. They help you with everything: accommodation, administration and finding work. You’re not on your own.”
A smooth start in the Netherlands
Since the merger between Consolid and 24/7 drive a year and a half ago, Consolid has also been working with international drivers. Through 24/7 drive’s recruitment offices in countries including Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Poland, drivers are recruited who want to work in the Netherlands. Jamie Wiegertjes is closely involved in their recruitment and support on behalf of Consolid.
Since the arrival of the international drivers, Jamie’s work has changed enormously. “We want to make sure that international drivers receive the right support, and that takes a lot of time. Everything here is new to them. That’s why we support them throughout the entire process. For example, we join online job interviews. We also tell them a lot about the Netherlands. Just take the number of cyclists here – international drivers simply aren’t used to that.”
A lot of positive energy
According to Jamie, that support goes beyond arranging practical matters. “It’s important that drivers feel heard and seen. I put a lot of time and energy into it, but I also get a lot of energy back when someone finds their place here. Take Robert, for example. I would vouch for him without hesitation. He’s a friendly and reliable driver who communicates well. You know you can count on him. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that he has found his place here.”