“Our employees are already doing their jobs, aren’t they?”
It’s a common question HR and L&D managers in manufacturing companies hear when the topic of language training comes up. Yet experience shows the opposite: a single misunderstanding can result in production errors, downtime or even workplace accidents.
That’s why more and more HR and L&D managers are realising: investing in Dutch language training on the shop floor is not a luxury, but a strategic decision. It pays off daily in safety, efficiency and employee satisfaction.
In this blog, discover the 5 key benefits of Dutch language training for manufacturing companies.
Safety begins with clear communication. When non-native speakers do not fully understand safety regulations or instructions, the risk of incidents rises.
According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), non-native workers in high-risk sectors such as food and chemicals face up to 50% higher risk of workplace accidents.
Practical language training tackles this directly, focusing on the vocabulary and situations that matter most: emergency signals, hygiene rules, and correctly following instructions.
The result? A safer workplace and more confidence for both employees and supervisors.
Language barriers slow down processes. Mistakes in picking, mislabelling products or incomplete registrations cost both time and money.
With the right language tools, employees work more accurately, and the entire production process runs more smoothly.
Team collaboration also improves: colleagues ask questions more easily, feedback is understood straight away, and instructions don’t need constant repetition.
Feeling part of a team depends on communication. Without sufficient Dutch skills, non-native employees often isolate themselves, which can lead to frustration and outflow.
Research consistently shows that language is a key driver of employee motivation and long-term retention in production environments. Providing training helps employees feel valued, boosting their loyalty and commitment to your organisation.
Language training doesn’t just support your workers, it also empowers shift leaders, supervisors, production managers and HR teams.
Communication becomes smoother and more effective. Performance reviews take less time, feedback lands more clearly, and coaching has a bigger impact.
The outcome? Less pressure on managers and stronger, more autonomous teams.
"What makes the Dutch on the Shop Floor project so strong is that everyone is involved. The trainee and language trainer are not on an island, there is a huge amount of communication with colleagues and managers. By also involving colleagues in the language training, the trainee gets many more practice opportunities and the lessons become even more practical. When a trainee says he feels much more involved with the team because communication is better, then you know your mission has succeeded!"
Katrien Robberecht, BLCC language trainer
Good to know: manufacturing companies can benefit from numerous sectoral subsidies that (partially) fund language training.
Whether you are active in retail, food, metal or chemistry, BLCC guides you from start to finish in applying for the right subsidy:
Retail: via sector fund Commerce Training
Food: via sector fund Alimento
Metals: via sector fund mtech+
Chemistry: via sector fund Co-Valent
The return on Dutch language training for your company is immediate: fewer errors, higher productivity, lower attrition, improved safety and stronger teams.
What begins as an investment in language becomes a lever for efficiency, well-being and sustainable growth in your organisation.
Would you like to reduce mistakes, boost safety and build stronger teams?
Our Dutch on the shop floor training is designed specifically for production companies in retail, food, metals and chemicals.
With practical sessions, digital support via Drillster, workplace challenges and customised programmes, we ensure employees don’t just learn Dutch – they actively use it on the job.
Discover our Dutch on the shop floor offer and contact us without obligation.
Looking for more insights? Read our blog the biggest language challenges at manufacturing companies.