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Education in the Netherlands

There are three levels of vocational education in the Dutch education system:

Pre-secondary vocational education (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs - vmbo)
Secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs - mbo)
Higher vocational education (hoger beroepsonderwijs - hbo)

Kenwerk and secondary vocational education
Kenwerk specifically focuses on practical experience for the students to develop skills and competences during their secondary vocational education time. Together with schools and social partners, we have developed a qualification framework that applies to all of the professions in our chosen sectors: hospitality, bakery, travel, leisure and general and technical support services. The framework provides a description of the knowledge, skills and competences that students must have in order to earn their diploma. In the secondary vocational education system in the Netherlands, study programmes are offered at four different levels. The specific levels correspond to the degree of responsibility assigned to students, as well as their ability to work independently. The table below lists the differences. Please keep these four levels in mind when posting and selecting candidates for work placements. In most cases, students interested in work placement abroad are enrolled in level 3 or 4 programmes.

Two learning routes
The Dutch secondary vocational education system offers students two learning routes for pursuing a diploma. Students can choose either the work-based route with part-time education (beroepsbegeleidende leerweg - bbl), which emphasizes practical training, or the school-based route with full-time education (beroepsopleidende leerweg - bol), which is school-based and less time for learning by doing.

Work-based route with part-time education (beroepsbegeleidende leerweg - bbl)
This type of education can also be described as “work-based learning.” In many cases, students spend four days a week in a certified work placement company and one day a week in the classroom. It is a highly practical type of education.

School-based route with full-time education (beroepsopleidende leerweg - bol)
This type of education can also be summed up as “daytime education with work placement.” In addition to attending regular school, students gain practical experience in a work-based environment outside the classroom for a specific period of time.