Two educational routes
Some
students prefer to study part-time in combination with a paid job.
Others would rather go to college first to learn vocational skills. So
we offer two educational routes in intermediate vocational education:
- Route 1: Apprenticeship training, in which young people work at a company and come to college for theoretical training. This system requires that the student has a contract with a company accredited for apprenticeship training.
- Route 2: Vocational training: college + work placement. Students mainly learn vocational skills at college. They build up practical working experience during work placements and through simulations, projects and learning tasks within the college or in companies.
Four levels
There are four levels of vocational courses. Students mainly enter the college when they are 16, after secondary school. A preliminary programme determines the level for which a student can be considered.
For level 1, there are no entry requirements. Since 2007, young people in the Netherlands up to the age of 18 are required to attend school or college until they have attained at least a level 2 diploma. Level 2 represents an entry-level qualification for the labour market. The range of careeropportunities that are available depends on the level of the course.
- Level 1: Assistance Training (1/2 – 1 year)
Working on simple tasks under supervision - Level 2: Basic Vocational Training (2 – 3 years)
Working on simple tasks - Level 3: Professional Training (2 – 4 years)
Working independently - Level 4: Middle Management Training (3 – 4 years)
Working independently and flexibly
