The International Du al Career Network (IDCN) is a global initiative that connects compani es and accompanying partners (spouses) in a local talent pool.
Members can take part in career events and networking opportunit ies, and some also contribute as volunteers. In June 2025, the IDCN A msterdam Utrecht Area was launched and continues to grow.
This event's theme – "Career Switch: To Switch or Not ?" – speaks directly to one of the most common challe nges accompanying partners face when relocating. The session will exp lore transferable skills, offer an overview of the Dutch labour marke t, and create space for open discussion.
📅 Date: Wednesday, 15 April 2026
🕤 Time: 10:00 – 12:00
📍 Location:&nb
sp;Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam at NU 3A-65 (New Univer
sity Building, Floor 3, Wing A, Room 65). De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV
Amsterdam
To confirm your attendance, please register via this link.
09:30 – 10:00 Arrival & Registration
10:00 – 10:05 Wel
come by the VU Amsterdam
10:05 – 10:45 Presentation by ACCESS (P
resenter: Deborah Valentine)
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00
– 11:45 Presentation by Pro_job
11:45 – 12:00 Interacti
ve Session & Q&A
Deborah Valentine is a proverbial expatri
ate. She was born in Germany to Canadian parents of Irish and Jamaica
n heritage and spent the first 40 years of her life 'relocating' –
as a child, a student, an employee, the accompanying partner of someo
ne else, and as a mother. Eleven countries and five languages later,
she now calls The Hague home. Not finding her niche in the local labo
ur market when she arrived, she created her own – for 12 years. Tod
ay she is the Executive Director of ACCESS, an organisation dedicated
to ensuring internationals find home in the Netherlands. Be this by
answering questions (which is the primary mission of ACCESS), or prov
iding the many accompanying partners who come here with a chance to f
ind a community which helps them flourish, find their feet, gain or s
hare skills, and feel settled – which is at the heart of ACCESS.
Pro_job is a Dutch labour market
specialist offering a broad range of services, from recruitment and c
areer coaching to support for international candidates and companies.
At this event, Pro-Job will share their perspective on career switch
ing in the Dutch context, drawing on their hands-on experience placin
g and coaching professionals across sectors.
By public transport: The VU Amsterdam c
ampus is easily reached via Amsterdam Zuid station (metro lines 50/51
, trains, trams 5/25). From the station, it's a short walk to De Boel
elaan.
By bike: Easiest way for Amsterdammers. There is p
lenty of bike parking on campus.
By car: Paid parking is
available on campus.
Reach out to us at this email address. If you'd like to get invol ved as a volunteer, feel free to contact us as well. For more informa tion about the global and local IDCN network, please visit the IDC N website.
DESCRIPTION: The International Dual Career Network (IDCN) is a global initiative that connects companies and accompanying partners (spouses ) in a local talent pool. Members can take part in career events and networking opportunities, and some also contribute as volunteers. In June 2025, the IDCN Amsterdam Utrecht Area was launched and continues to grow. This event's theme – "Career Switch: To Switch or Not?" – speaks directly to one of the most common challenges accompanying partners face when relocating. The se ssion will explore transferable skills, offer an overview of the Dutc h labour market, and create space for open discussion.