WRKLab
Hello, employer! Do you have a challenge, problem, project or research topic where you think: ‘This could really benefit from a fresh perspective from students’? Do you have a problem like this? And would you like to work on it with students for a semester? Then read on to find out what the WRKLab can do for you!
What is the WRKLab?
Students working for Frisian employers. At WRKLab, students from a range of schools and studies tackle real-world challenges from the professional field, whether in HRM, business administration, finance, change management or marketing communications. We match students with organisations that are open to fresh ideas from the employees of the future.
The assignments are practical and can be completed within a short timeframe. Students conduct a practical assignment, or independent research (for example, through desk research, interviews or surveys) and produce an analysis with clear recommendations. This provides your organisation with new insights and immediately applicable solutions, without complicated procedures and with minimal supervision required on your part.
Please note! There are a limited number of places available for the WRKLab, so be quick. Only Frisian companies with a free employer profile are eligible to submit a challenge to the WRKLab. Participation in the WRKLab is free of charge.
WRKLab success stories
The WRKLab on the NHL Stenden campus
Students taking part in the WRKLab have their own space on the NHL Stenden campus where they can go during school hours to focus entirely on their WRKLab project. The WRKLab also regularly hosts engaging workshops organised for and by the students.
The WRKLab can tackle almost any business challenge. Students work in multidisciplinary groups, ensuring that people from a variety of backgrounds can tackle your challenge. WRKLab projects last between two months and six months.
Excited and want to join?
Please submit your challenge below. If you haven’t quite formulated your question/challenge yet but are interested, please leave your details and we’ll be happy to help you get started.
Sign up for WRKLab
Advantages of the WRKLab compared to an internship
As students take the initiative themselves during the WRKLab and tackle the problem from start to finish, the supervision process is much simpler for a company. Most companies participating in the WRKLab find that a brief meeting of around one hour every two weeks is sufficient.
In addition, there is a more comprehensive interim presentation where several groups and employers come together at the same time to show each other how far they have got. This allows companies, lecturers and participants in the WRKLab to provide each other with feedback and help each other come up with new ideas to create a final product that everyone is happy with.
For students, the WRKLab also offers a valuable first real introduction to the business world, even before they begin their work placements. This allows them to get to know the Frisian business community and make valuable contacts. The same applies to the business community. This initial introduction to a new generation of students ensures that, as a company, you always connect with and remain in contact with a diverse group of students.
"Did you know that as many as 49% of interns go on to work at the company where they did their internship? The WRKLab is your first step!"
![Rinke Bolster Relatiemanager Samenwerking Noord]()
Rinke Bolster WRKLab
Take a look inside the WRKLab
In short: this is what the WRKLab means for you
- Fresh perspectives: working with students brings new ideas and innovative approaches.
- Awareness among potential employees: not just the students working on the project for you, but all students taking part in the WRKLab.
- Cross-pollination with other companies: students work on several projects at the same time! And, of course, you’ll also get to meet the other companies in the WRKLab.
- Expanding your network: with students and businesses
- A small amount of effort, a big impact: the WRKLab requires far less work than supervising an internship, and you’ll reach a much wider audience of students!
What do we expect from you?
As a company, it requires time and availability to help students with any questions they may have and to provide feedback from time to time. In any case, three fixed meetings are scheduled during the semester (start, interim presentations, final presentation). A semester lasts six months. The students naturally also receive intensive support from the university. All in all, it involves far less work than supervising an internship, and you gain visibility among a larger group of students!
Want to join WRKLab?
Please submit your enquiry below. If you haven’t quite formulated your enquiry yet but are interested, please leave your details and we’ll be happy to help you get started.
Get started
Working with the WRKLab, according to other companies
According to Frank Lubbers of Cloud86, WRKLab offers an accessible and user-friendly way for businesses to collaborate with the education sector. "Compared to other knowledge institutions, WRKLab offers the clearest approach and a straightforward process, meaning companies know exactly what to expect and can collaborate effectively with students. You see the same entrepreneurial energy and drive that we recognise from the business world at WRKLab too, which ensures that students get to work with enthusiasm and energy. It really is a one-stop-shop for my company."
These companies are already working with WRKLab students
