Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Netherlands
VET courses in the Dutch context
The basis of VET courses is two-fold. The first element concerns the learning track, which determines the proportion of practical training (in-company) to school-based learning. The second element concerns the content, which determines what has to be learned in order to get an acknowledged diploma. As long as VET institutions observe these general regulations, they may organize their educational programmes as they wish. This means that, VET schools (ROCs) are responsible for the pedagogical-didactical design and realisation of the VET programmes and courses. This also holds for educational publishers, who develop textbooks and other learning/teaching materials.
Dutch VET has two learning tracks: a school-based track (BOL) and a work-based track (BBL). In the school-based track students attend full-time education (daytime), others follow training courses that start when they actually begin a job.
In the school-based track students attend fulltime education (daytime). This is called the BOL track. BOL is the Dutch abbreviation for vocational training track (beroepsopleidende leerweg). In this learning track, the ratio between theory and practice is around 80 to 20. In general, BOL students attend school for four days a week and have practical training one day a week. Many schools organise their curriculum in a way that theory and practical training take place in different continuous periods of several weeks.
BOL students are officially students and are eligible for a student grant if they are over the age of 18.
In the work-based track, students follow training courses starting from their actual work situation. This called the BOL track.
BBL is the Dutch abbreviation for vocational guidance track (beroepsbegeleidende leerweg). The ratio between theory and practice is 20 to 80, the reversal of the BOL track. BBL students spend 20% of their study time at school and 80% on the job. BBL students are in training while working, they have an employment contract, thus are not eligible for a student grant.
The certificate for both learning tracks is equal. However, the curriculum of the track will differ with respect to the emphasis given to knowledge, skills and attitudes.