Facilitating access to VET for adults

The first set of 38 optional subjects was selected in 2016 (including entrepreneurship and leadership).

In September 2016, a commission (Commissie Sap) was set up to prepare advice for the government on vouchers in upper secondary VET. The commission was invited to come up with suggestions on how to promote lifelong learning (LLL) in upper secondary VET and on the advantages and disadvantages of financial incentives for adult learners.

The commission (Commissie Sap) delivered its advice in April 2017. The advice identified the main conditions for supporting adults in LLL: financial resources, sufficient time available, a transparent and high-quality education and training offer that fits the needs of adults and an environment that stimulates education and development. Creating these conditions should be a joint responsibility of the government, employers, training institutions and the adults themselves. The commission concluded that funding the demand side is an effective tool for supporting LLL for adults. Three funding options were suggested:

1. tax facilities;
2. training vouchers;
3. individual learning accounts.

In 2018, a pilot was launched to test the possibility of awarding certificates not only for optional subjects (keuzedelen) but also for the standard vocational qualification components. The certificates were expected to enable workers and jobseekers to strengthen their labour market position. In this pilot, 14 vocational- oriented certificates were developed and validated by the ministry.

As a follow up to the commission's (Commissie Sap) advice, the education and labour ministries have launched a multi-annual programme for LLL aiming to raise awareness, promote LLL programmes and help individuals participate in LLL. A total of EUR 10.15 million was earmarked for 2019 to:

1. develop a portal providing an overview of available training programmes (EUR 1.4 million);
2. promote LLL in SMEs (EUR 1.5 million);
3. upgrade the Working and learning desks programme supporting jobseekers and employers (EUR 1.4 million);
4. introduce flexible education pathways for adults in secondary VET (EUR 5 million);
5. monitor and evaluate activities (EUR 0.85 million).

In February 2019, certification via non-publicly funded VET institutes was possible for 120 optional subjects (keuzedelen).

Further, 24 extra certificates for standard vocational qualification components were developed, again in a pilot. The pilot is open to both public and private VET colleges. The coordination and responsible body is the SBB.

Additionally, in December 2019, the Dutch Parliament was informed about a new approach to elective modules. This approach introduced various measures, including greater flexibility for VET schools to integrate existing and new optional subjects into their educational programmes. This approach consists of various measures, one of which provides more flexibility for VET schools in incorporating existing and new optional subjects into their educational programmes.

Certificates that were developed in earlier pilots were made available via the SBB qualifications portal.

At the request of the education ministry, SBB is investigating the methodology for drawing up certificates for standard vocational components of VET qualifications that have an independent significance in the labour market and thus contribute to lifelong development for workers and jobseekers. An interim report is foreseen in 2021 and a final report in 2025.

Certificates for standard vocational qualification components continue to be developed. In 2021, 54 certificates were made available and accessible via the SBB qualifications portal.

The Netherlands welcomes the EC work towards a European approach to micro-credentials. The position paper (2021), on Micro-credentials for lifelong learning and employability, states that, although micro-credentials are no alternative to full degree programmes in Dutch initial education, they can create interesting new possibilities for all learners, including contributing to smooth transitions and increased permeability between VET and higher education.

Certificates for standard vocational qualification components continue to be developed. In 2022, 72 new certificates were made available and accessible via the SBB qualifications portal.

Following the 2019 initiative to decouple optional subjects (elective modules) from specific qualifications in the Dutch VET system, plans are underway to remove the link between optional subjects and qualifications entirely. This change will enable schools, in consultation with businesses, to independently determine which optional subjects to offer for each programme. Implementing this decoupling requires a legislative amendment, which has been included in a broader bill.

The bill entered public consultation around the summer of 2023, with the internet consultation remaining open until 25 September 2023. As a result, the new target date for implementation is set for 1 August 2025.

On the topic of microcredentials, within the framework of Npuls (a national programme in the Netherlands focused on innovation and digitalisation in education) and in close collaboration with the Council for Upper Secondary VET Schools (MBO Raad), many VET colleges launched a pilot for microcredentials in March 2024. The pilot will run until 31 December 2025.

A key principle of the pilot is that VET colleges operate based on pre-established agreements, ensuring quality assurance and standardised methods for issuing certificates. This approach enhances the transferability of microcredentials across schools and educational sectors, including higher education institutions such as universities, while ensuring their desired civil effect in the Netherlands and across the EU. Establishing a single standard fosters clarity and builds trust among stakeholders.

The pilot aims to provide valuable insights into the potential added value of microcredentials for vocational education and will inform recommendations for their integration into the VET system. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the project"Building on microcredentials in higher education", which also falls under the Npuls programme.

In the interest of transparency and accessibility in education, VET schools were required to register their programmes and certificates on the platforms RIO or EDU-DEX by summer 2024. This aimed to ensure a comprehensive and accurate representation of national training options and certifications on the centralised platform, Leeroverzicht.nl. Accurate and consistent registration is essential to reflect the true landscape of VET education and support informed decision-making.

However, many institutions have not yet updated or fully registered their programmes, and inconsistencies in the registration of VET certificates have been observed. To address these shortcomings and provide a complete view of available certifications, the education ministry and Leeroverzicht (Learning overview) have urged VET schools to prioritise completing and standardising their registrations.

Moreover, to address critical workforce shortages in sectors such as childcare, healthcare, technology, and green space management, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, in collaboration with sector organisations and the education ministry, introduced sectoral development paths in 2024. These paths provide step-by-step guidance for workers and job seekers, outlining role progression and highlighting relevant educational programmes. The initiative aims to reduce staffing shortages, facilitate job seekers' reintegration, and strengthen positions in the labour market.