The challenge
When the young municipality of Hoeksche Waard was founded in 2019 through the merger of several municipalities, one goal was clear from the very beginning: to create an inclusive and accessible environment where both residents and employees feel at home. The municipality also wanted to reflect these values in its online presence. That’s why Harborn was asked to help shape a strong employer branding strategy and translate it into an accessible environment for the new career website.
The vacancy platform werkenbijdehw.nl needed to be more than just a list of job openings. It had to communicate who the municipality is as an employer, what it stands for, and who it hopes to attract. Accessibility was a core value, not just because the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are mandatory for government websites, but because digital accessibility is seen as a natural part of good employment practice in Hoeksche Waard.
Technology and experience
In designing the new careers website, the Municipality of Hoeksche Waard deliberately chose an approach that combined usability, accessibility, and employer branding. Harborn delivered a technically robust platform that fully complies with WCAG standards, but together with the municipality, went a step further. Accessibility wasn’t just a technical checkbox; it was integrated into how vacancies are presented and how the employer story is told. This blend of technology and emotional engagement strengthens both the user experience and the employer brand.
