Werkplein Drentsche Aa

What Werkplein Drentsche Aa does

Werkplein Drentsche Aa (WPDA) is a Dutch government entity structured as a gemeenschappelijke regeling (joint municipal arrangement) that delivers social services for the municipalities of Aa en Hunze, Assen, and Tynaarlo in the province of Drenthe, Netherlands. Established around the 2015 Participatiewet, WPDA administers bijstandsuitkeringen (welfare benefits), employment-guidance services, vocational training (Leerlijnen in Construction & Technology, Care, Logistics, and Hospitality), financial-assistance schemes (Witgoedregeling, Maatwerkregeling Gebruiksgoederen, VoorzieningenWijzer debt counseling), and Social Return on Investment coordination. It serves residents of the three municipalities, asylum-seeker center (azc) residents under the Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst program, regional employers, professional bewindvoerders, and healthcare institutions (zorginstellingen).

WPDA's technical platform consists of purpose-built digital portals layered onto standard Dutch government identity infrastructure: the Mijn Werkplein self-service portal and e-loket.wpda.nl for citizens (DigiD-authenticated), the WerkgeversPortaal for employers, and dedicated portals for bewindvoerders (BIN-code) and zorginstellingen (ZIN-code). Communication uses Zivver for end-to-end encrypted email containing BSN and other privacy-sensitive data. The website conforms to WCAG 2.1 AA and the organization maintains AVG/GDPR and BIO compliance with a designated Functionaris Gegevensbescherming.

WPDA is fully publicly funded through municipal budget allocations under the Participatiewet; it charges no fees to residents. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization has 101–250 employees and operates from a single headquarters in Assen, governed by an Algemeen Bestuur with representation from each of the three constituent municipalities. Strategic priorities include asylum-seeker labor-market integration, inclusive employment via wage-cost subsidies (loonkostensubsidie), and embedding social-return obligations into regional procurement.

Name

Werkplein Drentsche Aa

Legal name

Werkplein Drentsche Aa

Website

https://wpda.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Werkplein Drentsche Aa is a Dutch joint municipal government entity administering welfare benefits, employment services, vocational training, and financial-assistance schemes for residents and employers of the municipalities of Aa en Hunze, Assen, and Tynaarlo.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Employment and Social Welfare Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Human Services & Benefits Administration (Welfare, Disability, Child & Family) (BPAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAC), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Social Care & Long-Term Care Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAK)

Keywords

• Public employment services
• Welfare benefits administration
• Social assistance programs
• Job placement services
• Municipal social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Assen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Werkplein Drentsche Aa is a Dutch public service organization (gemeenschappelijke regeling) that administers welfare benefits, employment assistance, vocational training, and financial support programs for residents of the municipalities of Aa en Hunze, Assen, and Tynaarlo. It operates digital portals including Mijn Werkplein, WerkgeversPortaal, Bewindvoerdersportaal, and Zorginstellingenportaal, and delivers specialized programs such as the Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst project for asylum seekers and the VoorzieningenWijzer financial advisory tool.

Product overview

Werkplein Drentsche Aa operates as the social services department for the municipalities of Aa en Hunze, Assen, and Tynaarlo in the Netherlands. The organization offers a unified service platform consisting of multiple digital portals and support programs. The core offering includes the Mijn Werkplein self-service portal for benefit management, the WerkgeversPortaal for employers, and specialized portals for healthcare institutions (Zorginstellingenportaal) and legal administrators (Bewindvoerdersportaal). Service offerings span welfare benefits administration (Bijstandsuitkering), job placement and career development (Werk vinden), vocational training through learning paths (Leerlijnen), and financial assistance programs including the Witgoedregeling for white goods and the VoorzieningenWijzer for debt management. The Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst program specifically supports asylum seekers in finding employment. All services are accessible digitally through the e-loket.wpda.nl portal system with DigiD authentication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bijstandsuitkering (Welfare Benefit) Application and management of welfare benefits (bijstandsuitkering) for residents of Aa en Hunze, Assen, and Tynaarlo municipalities who lack sufficient income to live on.
• Werk vinden (Job Finding Service) Employment assistance services including CV creation, job search support, workshops (such as 'Bouwen aan vertrouwen', 'Op weg naar werk', 'Sollicitatieworkshop'), and job coaching to help clients find paid work.
• Leerlijnen (Learning Paths) Vocational training programs including Leerlijn Bouw & Techniek (Construction & Technology), Leerlijn Welzijn Facilitair & Zorg (Wellbeing, Facilities & Care), Leerlijn Logistiek (Logistics), and Leerlijn Hospitality, designed to help clients develop skills for specific industries.
• Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst (Faster Start, Stronger Future) Project collaboration between COA, WPDA, and municipality of Assen to help asylum seeker center (azc) residents find employment faster and integrate into Dutch society through employer partnerships, job coaching, and Dutch language learning support.
• Financiële Regelingen (Financial Schemes) Various financial assistance programs including income limits, municipality-specific regulations for Aa en Hunze, Assen, and Tynaarlo, debt help, and schemes for sole breadwinners.
• Witgoedregeling (White Goods Scheme) Assistance program providing reimbursement up to €800 for energy-efficient washing machines, dishwashers, freezers, or refrigerators for low-income residents of Assen and Tynaarlo municipalities.
• Talentperron Skills assessment and talent development service helping clients identify their capabilities and career direction.
• VoorzieningenWijzer (Benefits Guide) Financial advisory tool for residents with debt problems providing personalized consultations on municipal schemes, government allowances, tax returns, energy suppliers, and health insurance, saving an average of €500 per year per participant.
• Social Return on Investment (SROI) Policy and service requiring contractors to employ people at a distance from the labor market as part of public procurement contracts, coordinated through Werk in Zicht across the municipalities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average annual savings of €500 per participant through the VoorzieningenWijzer (Benefits Guide) program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centraal Orgaan opvang Asielzoekers (COA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2024COA, WPDA, and municipality Assen signed a cooperation agreement for the 'Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst' (Faster Start, Stronger Future) project on May 14, 2024. The project aims to help asylum seeker center (azc) residents in Assen find paid work faster, enabling quicker integration into Dutch society. COA contributes residents seeking employment and coordinates with WPDA for job placement support.
• Gemeente Assen (Municipality Assen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2024Municipality Assen participates in the Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst project alongside WPDA and COA, providing local government support for azc resident employment integration. The municipal council approved the project proposal on July 20, 2023. Municipality Assen also co-finances the project together with the Province of Drenthe and the European Union.
• Stevast TechniekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStevast Techniek is a technical engineering company that partnered with WPDA, municipality Assen, and COA to employ azc residents through the Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst project. Ahmed, an azc resident recruited via WPDA, was placed as a technician and has grown into a valued team member. Stevast provides work experience opportunities and employment for people who might otherwise be overlooked based on CV criteria alone.
• Actief Werkt! TechniekminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStaffing agency specializing in inclusive labor market that provides practical, workplace-based training and employment for people without diplomas or with language barriers. Partnered with WPDA and COA through the Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst project to place Rabii, an azc resident, as a painter. Offers training in metal, installation, construction, green, infra, and painting disciplines.
• ConfexionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConfexion is a social enterprise confectie-atelier in Assen producing tilbands and transfer aids for JOYinCARE since 2012. WPDA, through the Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst project, connected Confexion with an azc resident who was successfully integrated into the workforce. Confexion received PSO Trede 3 certification in 2025 for its inclusive employment practices.
• Hof van Saksen AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademy combining work and learning in hospitality sector, operated as a partnership between Hof van Saksen (hospitality company), Drenthe College (educational institution), and WPDA. Enables job seekers to develop or retrain for hospitality positions through practical workplace learning. Supported refugee Zerai's integration including securing independent housing and education progression.
• Drenthe CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional educational institution partnering with Hof van Saksen and WPDA for the Hof van Saksen Academy, providing formal education credentials alongside practical work experience in hospitality.
• iWerkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWork experience organization providing stepping-stone employment programs for WPDA clients not yet ready for regular work. Operates the WerkFit trajectory lasting approximately 3 months in a work hall. Successfully placed Cynthia through WPDA's account management team as a keyboard cleaner at government offices. Also supports SW-medewerkers (social work employees) and clients with various barriers to employment.
• Job Office AssenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJob Office in Assen participates in the Snellere Start, Sterkere Toekomst project, providing coaching and job placement support for azc residents alongside WPDA and COA.
• Werk in Zicht (WiZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates Social Return on Investment (SROI) across the municipalities of Aa en Hunze, Assen, Tynaarlo, and WPDA. Social Return is applied to public procurement contracts where possible. WiZ provides information and inspiration for employers interested in Social Return arrangements.
• Zorgweb / SchuldenLabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of the VoorzieningenWijzer (Benefits Guide) instrument, which WPDA uses to help residents with debt problems optimize their use of financial schemes, funds, and reimbursements. Zorgweb developed the tool, which was officially recognized by SchuldenLab on June 20, 2020 as a locally proven effective instrument in poverty combat. WPDA is an official innovation partner of the VoorzieningenWijzer.
• Vaart WelzijnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWelfare organization that administers the Maatwerkregeling Gebruiksgoederen (Customized Goods Scheme) for residents of Assen municipality, which replaced the white goods scheme. WPDA refers Assen residents to Vaart Welzijn for this scheme and cooperates on financial support for low-income residents.
• Business Post (Coöperatie Business Post)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness Post is a cooperative of 25 regional postal companies providing work for approximately 4,500 people with support needs. WPDA hosts or is associated with Business Post operations at its W.A. Scholtenstraat location. The cooperative celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025 and covers approximately 50% of Dutch postal codes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• WerkgeversServicepunt (WSP) regio Drenthe: Regional employer service point in Drenthe coordinating vacancy matching, wage cost subsidies (loonkostensubsidie), and job coaching on behalf of municipalities including UWV and WPDA's territory. Highly comparable on the employer-facing re-employment workflow.

Direct peers

• Sociaal Werkbedrijf Drechtsteden (incl. Sociale Dienst Drechtsteden): Joint municipal arrangement in the Drechtsteden region administering Participatiewet benefits, employment coaching, and social enterprise work. Operates the same gemeenschappelijke regeling model as WPDA with overlapping employer portal and learning-path offerings.
• Werkzaak Rivierenland: Gemeenschappelijke regeling serving multiple municipalities in the Rivierenland region (Gelderland/Zuid-Holland) with the same Participatiewet mandate for income support and employment services. Directly comparable structurally and operationally to WPDA.
• Mensium Werkbedrijf (gemeenschappelijke regeling Noordoost-Brabant): Gemeenschappelijke regeling for Noordoost-Brabant municipalities providing the same Participatiewet suite: benefit administration, employer services portal, learning paths, and SROI coordination. Direct structural and operational peer to WPDA.

Others

• VluchtelingenWerk Nederland: National NGO supporting refugees with legal aid, integration programs, and labor-market access. Complementary rather than competitive with WPDA's Snellere Start program; partners with similar municipalities on refugee-to-work trajectories.
• Gemeente Utrecht (Werk en Inkomen): Major municipal social services unit administering bijstand, loonkostensubsidie, WerkFit pathways, and SchuldenLab-aligned debt relief. Comparable in service portfolio but as a single large municipality rather than a multi-municipal regeling.
• Divosa: Association of directors of Dutch municipal social services (directeuren van sociale diensten). Divosa is the natural peer ecosystem for WPDA's leadership, providing policy, benchmarking, and lobbying that directly shapes the gemeenschappelijke regeling operating environment.
• SchuldenLab / SchuldenLabNL: National platform and methodology that officially recognized the VoorzieningenWijzer instrument used by WPDA. Operates as an enabling/thematic peer in the same Dutch debt-relief and benefits-optimization space.

Broad incumbents

• UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen): National Dutch agency administering employee insurance, unemployment benefits (WW), and disability benefits (WIA, Wajong), plus the public Werkbedrijf for re-employment. Overlaps with WPDA on unemployment benefit administration and reintegration services, but operates nationally and is not municipal-specific.
• Gemeente Amsterdam (Sociaal Domein / Werk & Inkomen): Large municipal social domain unit administering Participatiewet benefits, job coaching, and debt assistance (Schuldhulpverlening) at scale. Comparable in service breadth but operates as a single-municipality organization rather than a multi-municipal regeling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@werkpleindrentscheaa2556
• Facebookfacebook.com/61555051101886
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/werkplein-drentsche-aa
• Instagraminstagram.com/werkpleindrentscheaa

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Werkplein Drentsche Aa