The International Dual Career Network (IDCN) is a global initiative that connects companies and accompanying partners (spouses) in a local talent pool.
M embers can take part in career events and networking opportunities, a nd some also contribute as volunteers. In June 2025, the IDCN Amsterd am 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 a ccompanying partners face when relocating. The session will explore t ransferable skills, offer an overview of the Dutch labour market, and create space for open discussion.
🕤 T
ime: 10:00 – 12:00
📍 Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam at NU 3A-65 (New University B
uilding, Floor 3, Wing A, Room 65). De Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV Amster
dam
To confirm your atten dance, please register via this link.
09
:30 – 10:00 Arrival & Registration
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome b
y the VU Amsterdam
10:05 – 10:45 Presentation by ACCESS (Present
er: Deborah Valentine)
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 – 1
1:45 Presentation by Pro_job
11:45 – 12:00 Interactive Ses
sion & Q&A
Deborah Valentine is a proverbial expatriate. S
he was born in Germany to Canadian parents of Irish and Jamaican heri
tage and spent the first 40 years of her life 'relocating' – as a c
hild, a student, an employee, the accompanying partner of someone els
e, and as a mother. Eleven countries and five languages later, she no
w calls The Hague home. Not finding her niche in the local labour mar
ket when she arrived, she created her own – for 12 years. Today she
is the Executive Director of ACCESS, an organisation dedicated to en
suring internationals find home in the Netherlands. Be this by answer
ing questions (which is the primary mission of ACCESS), or providing
the many accompanying partners who come here with a chance to find a
community which helps them flourish, find their feet, gain or share s
kills, and feel settled – which is at the heart of ACCESS.
<
strong>Pro_job is a Dutch labour market specia
list offering a broad range of services, from recruitment and career
coaching to support for international candidates and companies. At th
is event, Pro-Job will share their perspective on career switching in
the Dutch context, drawing on their hands-on experience placing and
coaching professionals across sectors.
By public transport: The VU Amsterdam campus
is easily reached via Amsterdam Zuid station (metro lines 50/51, trai
ns, trams 5/25). From the station, it's a short walk to De Boelelaan.
By bike: Easiest way for Amsterdammers. There is plenty
of bike parking on campus.
By car: Paid parking is availa
ble on campus.
Re ach out to us at this email address. If you'd like to get involved as a volunteer, feel free to contact us as well. For more information a bout the global and local IDCN network, please visit the IDCN webs ite.
DESCRIPTION: Members can take part in career events and networking opp ortunities, 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 No t?" – speaks directly to one of the most common chall enges accompanying partners face when relocating. The session will ex plore transferable skills, offer an overview of the Dutch labour mark et, and create space for open discussion.