Special feature

The Dutch government is actively involved in promoting that young people leave school with a diploma and are able to find suitable jobs. The government takes policy measures and cooperates with both the business world and the education sector to achieve this. Municipalities focus on supporting young people without a diploma or the necessary starting qualifications. Stimulating participation in the labour market is based on the Participation Act (2014). The Act is meant to help all people (including youth) with or without work restrictions to find suitable jobs.

Developing entrepreneurial skills is part of the curriculum of Secondary Vocational Education.

Highlights

For students of Secondary Vocational Education a ‘learning-by-doing’ educational route has been developed. It combines working and learning in companies acting as learning environments. The Scientific Council for Government Policy (Wetenschappelijke Raad voor Regeringsbeleid – WRR) calls for policies aiming at social cohesion in education to foster equal opportunities for all youths. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science stimulates easier transition between different kinds of schools, to learn from each other’s experiences, awareness of all involved, and space to experiment.