Werkzaak Rivierenland

What Werkzaak Rivierenland does

Werkzaak Rivierenland is a Dutch inter-municipal public cooperation entity (Gemeenschappelijke Regeling) established in 2014 and serving the municipalities of Buren, Culemborg, Geldermalsen, Maasdriol, Neder-Betuwe, Neerijnen, Tiel, West Maas en Waal, and Zaltbommel in the Rivierenland region of the Netherlands. The organization delivers welfare-to-work services under the Participatiewet (Participation Act) and WSW (Social Support Act), combining income support, vocational training, sheltered employment, and job placement for residents facing barriers to regular employment, including people with disabilities, long-term unemployed individuals, refugees (statushouders), and the psychologically vulnerable. Its service portfolio is built around seven work-based learning routes (leerwerkroutes) spanning hospitality, cleaning, customer contact, healthcare, transport and logistics, technical trades, and construction, supported by an in-house Leerlab training facility in Tiel and Geldermalsen, and wholly-owned operational subsidiaries Speciaal Facilitair (cleaning) and Smaakzaak (company restaurant) that function as supervised workplaces.

The business model is primarily funded through municipal contributions under statutory welfare mandates, with secondary revenue generated by commercial contracts fulfilled through its internal production facilities. Services to job seekers and employers are delivered free of charge. The go-to-market is relationship-driven: municipal referrals and community outreach drive job-seeker intake, while direct sales outreach to regional businesses handles employer acquisition, work outsourcing, and subsidy advisory (loonkostensubsidie). Technology infrastructure is modest and human-coach-centric, with a Mijn Werkzaak self-service portal, ReadSpeaker text-to-speech for accessibility, and Zivver for GDPR-compliant secure communications. The organization maintains a broad partnership ecosystem including vocational schools (ROC Rivor, Koning Willem I College), certified training academies (STL, SitY Academy, Lastechniek Rivierenland, Tweewieler Academy), and major regional employers such as Mainfreight (over 30 participants at co-pack operations in Zaltbommel), Arriva (bus driver training in Tiel), Rabobank, The Banana Factory, and Cirtex. The entity marked its 10th anniversary in 2024 and is governed by a general board chaired by C. Stolwijk, with E. Boer MBA serving as Secretary.

Name

Werkzaak Rivierenland

Legal name

Werkzaak Rivierenland

Website

https://werkzaakrivierenland.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Werkzaak Rivierenland is a Dutch inter-municipal public entity, founded in 2014, that delivers welfare-to-work services under the Participatiewet for nine municipalities, combining income support, vocational training, sheltered employment, and job placement across seven sectors for residents facing barriers to employment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Employment and Welfare Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Employment Services (5613), Temporary Help Services (561320)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Inclusive Employment (Job Training, Placement) (BPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unemployment Insurance & Employment Support Benefits (BPAIAKAB), State/Provincial Human Services & Benefits Administration (Welfare, Disability, Child & Family) (BPAIABAI), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

Keywords

• Vocational training programs
• Employment reintegration services
• Welfare benefit administration
• Sheltered employment services
• Workforce development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Geldermalsen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Government Funding: Werkzaak Rivierenland is a shared service organization (Shared Service Center) for municipalities in the Rivierenland region, funded through municipal contributions to execute tasks under the Participatiewet (Participation Act), WSW (Social Support Act), and related regulations.
2. Social Enterprise Operations: Operates internal production facilities (including Speciaal Facilitair cleaning company, Cirtex textile center, and Smaakzaak restaurant) that generate revenue through commercial contracts while providing employment opportunities for people with barriers to work.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Werkzaak Rivierenland is a public inter-municipal organization providing employment support and welfare services in the Rivierenland region of the Netherlands. It delivers income support under the Participatiewet, vocational training through work-based learning routes (leerwerkroutes) across seven sectors, sheltered employment through its Speciaal Facilitair cleaning company and Smaakzaak restaurant, and job placement services connecting job seekers with regional employers. The organization also advises employers on subsidies, regulations, and outsourcing production work to social enterprise subsidiaries.

Product overview

Werkzaak Rivierenland is a social welfare and employment organization serving the Rivierenland region of the Netherlands. The organization operates as a unified platform providing multiple interconnected services including income support, job placement assistance, sheltered employment, and vocational training programs called 'leerwerkroutes' (work-based learning routes). The core product portfolio consists of seven vocational training sectors: Hospitality (Horeca), Cleaning (Schoonmaak), Customer Contact (Klantcontactcentrum), Healthcare (Zorg), Transport & Logistics, Technical trades, and Construction. Supporting these are internal training facilities including the Leerlab (learning laboratory) and two sheltered workplaces — Speciaal Facilitair (cleaning company) and Smaakzaak (company restaurant) — which serve as practical learning environments. The Mijn Werkzaak online portal provides digital access to services. Together, these products enable the organization to fulfill its mission of helping everyone participate in society through personalized employment support and skills development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Leerwerkroutes (Work-Based Learning Routes) Vocational training programs combining workplace learning with classroom education, enabling participants to earn while learning a profession across sectors including hospitality, cleaning, customer service, healthcare, transport, logistics, technical trades, and construction. Targeted at job seekers in the Rivierenland region.
• Trainingen (Training Programs) Training programs for job seekers and employers supporting skill development and career advancement, including language programs, digital skills, financial literacy, and job application skills.
• Het Leerlab (Learning Lab) Dedicated learning facilities in Tiel and Geldermalsen offering individual and group support for job seekers and employees. The Geldermalsen facility is a sustainable building constructed largely from reused materials including clothing processed into felt, featuring two classrooms, two consultation rooms, and a reception area with coffee corner. Focuses on discovering, utilizing, and developing talents through various courses.
• Speciaal Facilitair (Cleaning Services) Internal cleaning company of Werkzaak Rivierenland providing commercial cleaning services to clients while serving as a sheltered workplace where individuals with various backgrounds (disabilities, long-term unemployed, refugees) learn at their own pace. Functions as a stepping stone to external employment.
• Smaakzaak (Company Restaurant) Company restaurant of Werkzaak Rivierenland serving as both a hospitality business and a training facility where participants learn hospitality skills including catering, kitchen work, and barista roles. Operates as a workplace for individuals with various backgrounds to learn at their own pace.
• Mijn Werkzaak (Online Portal) Online portal for job seekers to manage applications, view personal information, and interact digitally with Werkzaak services.
• Inkomensondersteuning (Income Support) Welfare and financial assistance services including benefit applications (bijstandsuitkering), supplemental support for extraordinary costs, and assistance for entrepreneurs (Bbz and IOAZ).
• Beschut Werken (Sheltered Employment) Protected work environment for individuals with reduced work capacity who require special supervision or facilities, provided under the Dutch Participation Act.
• Werkgeversdiensten (Employer Services) Services for regional employers including staff recruitment, work outsourcing, guidance on subsidies and regulations (loonkostensubsidie), training for employers, and inclusive employment support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of people placed in employment annually through success stories documented on website

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Banana FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst banana factory in the world that tackles banana waste. Partners with Werkzaak to employ participants in banana processing and no-waste product manufacturing. Provides real work experience in sustainable food processing.
• CirtexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTextile recycling center where Werkzaak participants work in clothing sorting and textile processing. Provides employment and training in sustainable textile industry.
• ROC RivorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional vocational education center in Tiel providing mbo-level training for Werkzaak participants. Collaborates on learning routes and practical examinations.
• Koning Willem I CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational college in Den Bosch offering mbo programs for Werkzaak participants, including logistics, metalworking, and mechatronics courses.
• ArrivacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic transport company partnered with Werkzaak for bus driver training programs. Located in Tiel, provides practical training and employment for Werkzaak participants.
• Sectorinstituut Transport en Logistiek (STL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSector institute for Transport and Logistics providing theoretical training and certification for truck driver programs.
• Lastechniek RivierenlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelding training provider in the Rivierenland region for metalworking learning routes.
• SitY AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractical training academy for painting and technical courses, partnering with Werkzaak for skill certifications.
• Tweewieler AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBicycle technician training academy providing practical cycling repair training and certifications for Werkzaak participants.
• MainfreightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational logistics company with location in Zaltbommel. Over 30 Werkzaak employees work at their co-pack department, providing ongoing employment opportunities.
• Speciaal FacilitaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternal cleaning company of Werkzaak where participants begin their learning route in cleaning. Serves as a stepping stone to external employment.
• SmaakzaakcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany restaurant of Werkzaak where participants start learning hospitality skills. Provides practical training in food service and barista work.
• Zorgcentra de BetuweminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCare center in the Betuwe region providing employment opportunities for Werkzaak participants in healthcare learning routes.
• Santé PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome care organization providing practical training and employment for Werkzaak participants in healthcare roles.
• QuickstraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany in Culemborg manufacturing truck tail lifts that employs Werkzaak participants in assembly work.
• DTGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical installation company in Tiel specializing in heat pump installations that partners with Werkzaak for installer training.
• WIMA AirconditioningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir conditioning company providing training and employment for Werkzaak participants in installation work.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pantar: Amsterdam-based social employment organization providing sheltered employment, training, and work-experience placements to people with distance to the labor market. Closely comparable operating model and mission to Werkzaak Rivierenland.
• WerkPro: Drenthe-based social employment organization providing sheltered work, training, and reintegration services. Comparable as a Dutch regional Werk-leerbedrijf with similar product offerings and target population.
• Weener XL: 's-Hertogenbosch-area social enterprise employing people with a distance to the labor market in production, packaging, and services. Directly comparable as a regional Dutch SW-bedrijf with operating subsidiaries.
• Emco: Social employment organization in the Eindhoven region offering work experience, training, and reintegration for people with barriers to employment. Comparable model and mission to Werkzaak Rivierenland.
• Rijnvicus: Arnhem-area social employment organization focused on helping people with a labor-market disadvantage find work. Comparable mandate, regional scope, and Werkzaak-style integrated service model.
• Soweco: Twente-region social employment company offering sheltered work, vocational training, and reintegration services. Highly comparable as a regional Werk-leerbedrijf with similar product offerings.
• DitzWorkz: Dutch work-integration organization offering sheltered employment, vocational training routes, and placement services for people with barriers to employment. Direct functional peer in the same SW/Werkintegratie category.

Others

• ROC Rivor: Regional vocational education center (mbo) that is a core strategic partner of Werkzaak. Listed as a peer because it is part of Werkzaak's training ecosystem and would be involved in any expansion of vocational learning routes.

Broad incumbents

• UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen): Dutch national agency administering employee insurance and supporting labor-market participation including WW benefits and Werkbedrijf services. Comparable as the national public employment-services framework within which Werkzaak operates at the regional level.

Regional players

• Land van Cuijk Werk: Municipal work-services collaboration in the Land van Cuijk region providing income support, vocational training, and employment placement. Comparable inter-municipal cooperation model though in a different Dutch geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Werkgeversadviespunt
• Facebookfacebook.com/WerkzaakRivierenland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/werkzaakrivierenland
• Xx.com/werkzaak

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Werkzaak Rivierenland