Vocational education in the Netherlands
Secondary vocational education and training (VET) takes an important role in preparing Dutch young people from the age 16 to 20 for the labour market. This educational sector absorbs about 60% of all youngsters taking education and offers them a wide range of courses in various levels running from the assistant level to middle management level.
Vocational education and training (VET) courses can be taken at four levels and range from six months to four years. Graduating fourth year students can progress to higher professional education.
Vocational education and training (VET) courses include four sectors: agriculture, engineering and technology, economics, and health and social care and are organised by the vocational education and training (VET) colleges. Vocational education and training in the sectors agriculture, natural environment and food technology is provided by agricultural training centres.
Much freedom is left to the vocational education and training (VET) colleges and therefore methods, priorities and orientation can vary a lot, according to the type of college or the geo-economic characteristics of the region. E.g. some vocational education and training (VET) colleges have a strong international focus and are very active in facilitating foreign work placements for their students.
Further information Workplacement.nl and National Reference Point the Netherlands.