When working in high-risk environments like in factories, building sites, petrochemicals, etc., it is important to know how to prevent injuries, accidents and any dangerous situation that might come your way. This is where the VCA certificate comes in hand.

This certification is very important because without it you won’t be able to start working for most construction and industry companies in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium or even France, Austria and Germany.

If you choose to work for Wanted, we can book the most convenient VCA training for you and cover the associated costs. Our only goal is to make the whole process easier for you!

In this article we explain everything you need to know about the VCA Certificate.

What is the VCA?

VCA is short for “Safety, Health and Environment Checklist Contractor’s” and is a course designed to make workers aware of all the safety procedures they must perform in a high-risk workplace.

How to get the VCA certificate?

Fortunately, there are many training centers all around Europe specialized in this certification.

The usual duration of the training is 1 day, with a final test of about 1-hour at the end.

It’s usually a multiple-choice test.

Out of curiosity, these are the modules of the course:

1. Legislation on Safety and Security at Work
2. Dangers, risks, and its preventions
3. Accidents – causes and preventions
4. Safety behaviors
5. Rights, obligations
6. Safety procedures
7. Dangerous substances
8. Fires and Explosions
9. Machines and equipment
10. Electricity and Radiation
11. Personal Protection Equipment

If you pass the test, you will receive the VCA certificate that is valid for up to 10 years.

Observations:

The training might be adjusted to be conducted in your native language, whenever possible.

In alternative to the written test, there is an option to take the test orally, by answering the questions given by the instructor, in person.

Different types of VCA

There are 2 types of VCA certificates that vary according to the category of the work you will do.

If you are a regular worker, it is required for you to have the B-VCA (Basis VCA) Certificate. However, if you are a supervisor or a manager you must apply for the VCA VOL Certificate.

The contents of the courses differ between one another, as well as the duration of it.

Gorana Jovičić

Recruiter

ET scheme explained (ET-regeling)

As a foreign employee temporarily working in the Netherlands, you will most probably incur double costs with housing, extra cost of living allowance and double travel expenses.

To avoid this inconvenience, the Dutch tax office created the ET scheme, in agreement with local recruitment agencies.

ET stands for extraterritorial.

What is the ET scheme?

ET scheme is a tax arrangement that makes it possible to give employees who live abroad and temporarily work in the Netherlands a tax-free allowance for additional costs incurred on account of them temporarily working outside of their country of origin.

In other words, it’s a tax benefit allowing you to pay less taxes than you normally would.

The ET scheme can only be applied by recruitment agencies, not by “regular” employers.

How can I apply?

At Wanted we always look out for our workers’ best interest. The moment you sign an employment contract with us, we request your written permission for us to apply the ET scheme on your payslip. Basically, you just need to sign the authorization and we take care of the rest.

How much is the benefit?

At Wanted we provide accommodation in single rooms to all our employees. Although we bear the housing cost entirely, per law, this benefit must be considered in the payslip for tax purposes.

The same goes for travel expenses and cost of living allowances.

Under the ET scheme only 81% of these benefits will be considered for taxation.

The following benefits are eligible for exchange:

• Part of the time-based wage
• Days’ holiday over and above the statutory minimum
• Allowances for unsocial hours and overtime
• Time in lieu

The following extraterritorial costs qualify for exchange:

• Double accommodation costs
• Transport to and from the Netherlands
• Additional costs of living

Application of the ET regulation must meet the following conditions, among other things:

• This must be agreed in writing in advance
• The tax-free reimbursement is limited to actual costs
• The wage after the exchange may not be lower than the statutory minimum wage applicable to the agency worker
• The exchange may not exceed 30% of the effective wage
• The exchanged part does not affect the basis for overtime and unsocial hours allowances
• The maximum exchange wage and the days’ holiday over and above the statutory minimum are 81% of the ET costs. It does not apply to allowances and compensatory hours
• The amount of the tax-free reimbursement or the value of the provision must be stated on the payslip
• No reservations can be made on the exchanged part
• Pension accrual on the exchanged part does apply though

Source:
Article 20 of the CLA for Agency Workers

Eduard de Groot

Backoffice Support

The Burgerservicenummer (BSN) or Dutch Citizen Service Number is your official national identification in the Netherlands. All residents in the Netherlands must have one.

The BSN functions as a social security number, a national identification number, and a tax number in the Netherlands.

It is necessary for any interactions with the Dutch government or public services, including paying Dutch taxes, receiving Dutch social security, and healthcare in the Netherlands.

Even if you leave the country, your BSN remains yours for life – so you can later return or claim benefits from abroad. Once a person dies, their unique BSN is retired.

How can I get a BSN?

To get your BSN you must register in person with one of the 19 RNI municipalities in the Netherlands. You should do this within 5 days of your arrival.

Find the closest office to you here: www.government.nl/topics/personal-data/question-and-answer/how-i-can-register-in-the-non-residents-records-database

Access the website of your municipality (also listed in the link above) to book the appointment and read more about the process.

What documents do I need?

You will need:

• valid identity document – passport or identity card only
• residential address in your country of origin
• the form “Request for registration”*
• and the form “Statement of consent”*

*Download these two forms here: https://www.rvig.nl/brp/rni/inschrijfformulieren-rni

Both forms are available in 15 languages. You choose the correct language, enter the data on the computer and PRINT it. Take the completed forms with you to the appointment at the RNI-desk.

Is it possible to obtain a BSN via a recruitment agency?

At Wanted we help our employees get all the documents ready and we schedule an appointment on their behalf at the closest municipality.

However, employees must submit the registration in person.

Can I work without a BSN number?

If you don’t have a BSN number, you cannot work in the Netherlands. Your employer pays taxes and social security contributions on your salary, through your BSN number.

How much does it cost to get a BSN?

You can get your BSN for free.

If you’d like to move to the Netherlands, check our vacancies at www.teamwanted.nl. Our team will support you throughout the entire process, stress free.

Sebas de Jong

Account Manager

Writing a CV can be a daunting task, but it does not have to be! What is most important is to keep it brief and structured, so it is easy for a recruiter to read it.

Let us provide you with some tips on how to create a personal CV.

The best practice is to start with your personal information:

• Your full name
• Address
• Active mobile phone number
• E-mail address
• Date of Birth
• Nationality

The crucial part of your CV is your education, and qualifications (certificates, training, and online courses). Make sure that you outlined them correctly providing:

• The name of the course or qualification you have completed
• Name of the institution where you took the course
• City and country of where you studied
• Start and end date.

In addition to your education, and certification is your technical skills. Never skip them while writing a CV; skills are important because they can make you stand out from the competition so you can land the job you desire. The technical skills section can easily influence the salary figure.

The most important part of your CV is experience.  Ensure that you add:

• Name of employer/company
• Position
• Where you worked
• Start and end date
• Brief description of your duties
• Languages (the level of spoken, and written language*).

* There are 6 levels of marking your knowledge of a foreign language called A1 and A2 (elementary); B1 and B2 (intermediate) and CA and C2 (advanced). This measure is widely used all over Europe and has become the prevalent standard for the rest of the world.

Finally, while sending your CV to us make sure that you introduce your application by stating your availability to start, what position you are looking for, and in which country you prefer to work. Additionally, you can write your salary expectation.

You can always add any references from previous projects/jobs. However, it is not necessary.

Adding hobbies and interests is an excellent way of enriching your CV regardless of your job industry. It gives value to your application for a job.

Good luck finding your dream job!

Anna Kita

Recruiter

SSIN, INSZ, NISS, INSS – all these abbreviations stand for your Social Security Identification Number in Belgium, in different languages.

If you are planning to work in Belgium, you are required to get a SSIN number – your Belgian identification number.

It’s a rather simple process involving 4 steps, but the application must be submitted by your employer, prior to your starting date.

Your employer can submit your application online.

Documents

• passport
• or ID card
• or driver’s license.

It is important that the quality of these copies is sufficiently high.

Identification

• Name
• Name
• Date of birth
• Country of birth
• Place of birth
• Nationality
• Gender

Address

• Your address back at your home country
• Your address in Belgium

Submit

You immediately receive the unique Belgian identification number.

Or the processing takes a while and additional research and/or information is needed to be able to assess your application; in this case your employer will be kept informed by e-mail.

Note

Belgians call their national identification number INSZ (“identificatienummer van de sociale zekerheid) in Dutch.

In French it’s NISS (“No. d’identification de Sécurité Sociale”).

In German it’s INSS (“Identifizierungsnummer der Sozialen Sicherheit”).

We use the English abbreviation SSIN (“Social Security Identification Number”), though some sources also speak about INSS (“Identification Number Social Security”).

At Wanted, we support our employees during the entire relocation process. In addition to legal documents, we also arrange flights and book the accommodation for you.

Send us your CV to [email protected] and join our team!

If you’re open to working in the Netherlands, check this article about the documentation process.

Helmiina Bakker

Backoffice Support

Our main concern at Wanted is to always respond to the needs of each candidate that comes to us. So, we try our best to find the right placement for all of you.

Wanted is present in 6 European countries as a credible and experienced recruitment agency. One of the reasons for our reputation is the transparency we are known for when dealing with candidates.

Here’s an explanation of our selection process for you to start a new job with us soon.

1. Send us your CV

You can apply via email: [email protected]

Or through our website https://job.teamwanted.nl  

We strive to respond as quickly as possible. Current response time is between 1 to 3 days.

After receiving your CV, we will contact you to know more about your professional profile (see CV preparation tips).

2. Upload your CV to our database

Once we gathered all the information about your experience, we will save it in our database, with your consent. This way your information is secured and accessible by our entire team of recruiters who can contact you for future opportunities.

3. Placement

When your profile matches one of our vacancies, we will contact you to inform you about the project and understand your interest in the job.

If you confirm, we will move your application forward in the recruitment process and wait for further approvals.

4. Client approval

Once we have the complete information about your professional profile, we submit your CV to our clients, for their approval.

Clients’ response time varies, but as soon as we have an answer from them, we will inform you either way.

Even if you weren’t accepted for that project, we will find you a different opportunity.

5. Candidate Integration

If you were approved to join the project, we will take care of all the logistics so you can start the new professional challenge in a calm and positive way.

Frequently, it is necessary to take an online induction test, usually before travelling. However, in some cases the induction test will be done on site (after travelling).

The induction test must be done on a computer.

Before taking the test, we will share the necessary study materials with you.

All this will be communicated to you in advance.

Logistics our team handles for you:

✈️ Flight Booking

🏠 Accommodation

🚶 Airport pick-up by one of our colleagues

📝 Sharing all the necessary documentation (contract and additional information about the client)

📜Arranging for any training or certification required by the client, for example getting your VCA certificate.

6. Post-hiring follow-up

Depending on the country of your destination, you will need to get some paperwork done, to legally work in that country, for example getting a local tax number.

Wanted is very rigorous in complying with the labor legislation and making sure our candidates don’t get any unpleasant surprise. Therefore, we will support you with all of that. Check out these articles if you are planning to work in Belgium or the Netherlands.

After you reach the destination, your recruiter will pass your contact details to the local account manager who can help you in any situation. Including providing you with the safety equipment and uniform.

Nevertheless, our recruitment team, with whom you made the initial contact, is always available at a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions about our recruitment process

• How is the trip to the destination organized and who pays for it?

The trip is organized by Wanted which will cover all costs until you reach the destination. As a rule, our trips are organized on weekdays.

• Who pays for accommodation at the destination?

Accommodation costs are covered by Wanted. Our accommodations have Wi-Fi and individual rooms.

• How much money should I take with me?

It is advisable to bring some cash for your first week and a half of work.

Bearing in mind that the first salary is paid in the second working week (between Thursday and Friday).

Afterwards, salaries are paid on a weekly basis.

• Who will I sign an employment contract with?

You will sign the contract with Wanted and pay taxes and social security at the country of the project.

• Is it necessary to speak English to get a job?

In most projects speaking and understanding basic English is a mandatory requirement.

• Do I need a European Union passport to work abroad?

To work with Wanted in any of the 6 European countries we operate, you must have a European ID.

Esperanza Herves

Recruiter at Wanted