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If you’re going through the Dutch civic integration process (inburgering) , you’ve probably heard about Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie (MAP). Like PVT, it’s one of the required components under the Wet Inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021).

In this post, I’ll explain what MAP training is and share my own experience attending it.

What is MAP Training?

MAP stands for Module Arbeidsmarkt en Participatie, which translates to Labour Market and Participation Module. It is designed to help newcomers:

• Understand the Dutch labour market
• Learn how to search and apply for jobs
• Discover different ways to participate in society (e.g., work, volunteering, or education)
• Create a personal plan for their career or social participation in the Netherlands

MAP is a required part of integration for most newcomers, especially if you’re on the B1 or Z route.

According to my contact person in my gemeente, you can only get an exemption from MAP if you’re working in a paid job in a language-rich environment, where Dutch is used regularly.

For certainty, contact your caseworker or your contact person at the gemeente to confirm what applies to your specific situation.

My Personal Experience

I recently completed MAP and attended a total of 8 weekly sessions, each lasting from 9:30 to 11:30 every Wednesday. There were approximately 25 people in my group, with a combination of B1-route and Z-route participants.

Each session focused on a different topic related to working and participating in the Netherlands. Some of the modules we covered included:

• How to write a Dutch-style CV
• How to read and apply to vacatures (job vacancies)
• Insights into the Dutch job market and working culture.

We also spent time reflecting on our personal strengths and skills. We were encouraged to think about our qualities like being analytical, caring, reliable, patient or practical, and how those qualities might fit into different job sectors. This helped us consider which roles match our education background and previous work experience. It was a helpful way to connect who we are with the kind of work we may want to pursue in the future.

One of the sessions was especially interesting. We visited a local institution that provides support for entrepreneurs and learned more about starting a business in the Netherlands. Even though I’m not planning to become self-employed, it was helpful to know that this option exists.

In our final session, each of us gave a short presentation about our personal goals and what we learned throughout the training. We presented it in front of the group and some representatives from the gemeente (municipality). There was also a kind of mock interview or kennismaking, where we had an informal conversation with the gemeente representative about our future plans.

At the end, we all received a certificate of completion, which felt like a nice milestone!

Do You Have to Work or Volunteer After MAP?

That depends on your personal situation. In my case, because I’m here on a partnerschap visum (partner visa), I am not required to do the practical part such as working or volunteering. Attending and completing the MAP sessions was enough for me to fulfill this requirement.

If you’re on a different visa (or a statushouder), you may have to take more practical steps afterward, such as finding volunteer work or starting a work trajectory.

Again, for certainty, contact your caseworker or your contact person at the gemeente to confirm what applies to your specific situation.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I found MAP to be a positive and valuable experience. It helped me better understand the Dutch working environment and gave me more confidence about how things work here.

One thing I noticed was that the training was delivered in a one-size-fits-all format, with participants from both the B1 and Z routes mixed together. Because there were significant differences in Dutch language skills and learning pace, some participants struggled to communicate effectively or fully grasp the material. As a result, some people may not have gained the full benefit of the training or may have missed the intended learning outcomes.

In my opinion, it would be more effective if future MAP sessions were divided by route or language level, allowing everyone to participate more comfortably, engage better and get the most out of the program.

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Whether your goal is to join the Dutch workforce, explore volunteer opportunities or gain insight into how Dutch society works, MAP provides a helpful foundation.

Have you already taken MAP? Or are you about to start? Feel free to share your experience or ask questions in the comments!