Labour Market Participation with Impact: Listen to the Podcast

The fourth episode of our podcast series KraakHELDer is now available. In this episode, Inge Diepman joins Willem van Spaendonck, Inclusive Labour Market Networker at Breedweer. Willem explains how he uses his autism as a strength in his work and how it helps bring labour market participation within reach, in a workplace where he can truly be 100% himself.

The Inclusive Labour Market in Practice

The inclusive labour market is the subject of countless reports and studies. Yet it often remains an abstract and technical concept. The personal stories shared in KraakHELDer change that. They reveal what truly matters in the workplace and why labour market participation is so meaningful.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to be who they are. That is where it all begins.

Be Curious About Other People

In this episode, Inge discovers how Willem sees the world. Because of his autism, he thinks differently from many others—and that is exactly what makes him so valuable in his role. At Breedweer, he is given complete freedom to use his talents. Every day, he works to create opportunities for people who face barriers to employment, both within and beyond the organisation. Read more about how Willem is making an impact here. Together, Inge and Willem also visit Driekant in Zutphen, a bakery where people are given the opportunity to develop their skills and build their future with confidence. Willem ends the episode with an important message: be curious about other people. People are often capable of far more than you might expect—all they need is the opportunity to show it.

Autism as a Strength for Labour Market Participation

The podcast has received a warm and enthusiastic response. Renzo van Deurloo, founder of GreenFox Social Return, summed it up beautifully:

“Autism is simply one of the qualities of a genuinely great person. You can’t always tell whether certain traits come from autism or are simply part of someone’s character. The podcast is open, honest, and disarmingly authentic.”

Willemien Vreugdenhil, Dealmaker for Regional Deals at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, also enjoyed listening:

“An honest, open, and deeply personal portrait of a remarkable man, naturally interwoven with a powerful plea for a more inclusive labour market. It’s wonderful that this podcast series has been created.”

Why Personal Stories Matter

Labour market participation is about much more than policies or statistics—it is about people. It is about creating opportunities, giving people the space to grow, and recognising what they can do rather than focusing on what they cannot.

This podcast brings that message to life. By sharing authentic personal stories, it makes the concept of an inclusive labour market feel less abstract and much more real.