Some specialties are the biggest asset of the Netherlands economy. They are important in turning this country into a labor destination for various artisans and specialists. To invest in the young talents and capabilities, it is important to consider apprenticeship. What are the main advantages of Apprenticeships in the Netherlands.

Apprenticeships in Netherlands:

Apprenticeship is a combination of a work study program aiming at providing a workforce in various industries. It is based on vocational training and skills development that contribute to business growth and success. Many graduates go through a long process for recruitment. In general, employers hire qualified and experienced employees. But, when it comes to apprenticeship, the vocational training program doesn’t insist on a probation period, internship, or any free of cost training that the apprentice is obliged to offer to prove eligibility for the job.

The Netherlands is a leading country in various industries and technologies. The increased pace of its advanced economy is linked to the quality of its apprenticeship programs. This professional and education field focuses on preparing and assimilating labor strategies to provide equal opportunities for both graduates and apprentices.

Apprenticeship is called praktijkleren in the Netherlands. It provides an important percentage of the workforce in vital industries. It also assimilates both academics and apprentices to cooperate together to meet the targets of the field. If you are hesitant between choosing a degree or an apprenticeship program this article is for you. Fratres includes the necessary information regarding job application, worklife, and career development. Sign up to Fratres to get updated with the available job offers in your dream country. Here are 10 reasons why apprenticeship in the Netherlands is so important.

1. Compatibility with the Job Market 

Apprenticeship programs in the Netherlands are meeting the requirements of the job market.More than 3000 apprenticeship courses of in-demand specialties are available in the Netherlands. The aim of apprenticeship is to provide the necessary labor force that goes well with the economic strategies.

2. Ongoing Development:

The aim of apprenticeship is not always oriented towards blue-collar employment and labor training. It is rather about developing a safe and a stable work environment that attracts young applicants. Vocational training that are available in the post pandemic period are updating their strategies to grant mutual benefits for both workers and industries.

3. Clear apprenticeship Scheme:

In the Netherlands, apprenticeships are classified in terms of duration and difficulty levels. There are four categories of vocational training that you should consider whenever you want to apply:

-Entry-level apprenticeship program: this type lasts from 1 year to 1 year and 6 months. It includes a study-training program offering a diploma called EQF1 Qualification

-Basic vocational training program: this program lasts two years. It has an education scheme that is equivalent to high school level. The Basic vocational program culminates in a qualification called EQF2.

-Professional Education program: this apprenticeship program lasts 3 years with recruitment in various clerical fields. The professional Education program offers a EQF3 diploma.

-VET programs: this type is a more advanced apprenticeship program that lasts more than 3 years. VET apprenticeship programs offer an EQF4 qualification.

Adding to these categories, an applicant can be entitled to more than an apprenticeship program by following a double specialty training.

4. Safety at Work and Training:

Apprenticeships in the Netherlands offer paid health insurance for apprentices operating in hazardous places. Although the chances of accidents are every law, the chosen program grants a paid healthcare insurance for applicants registered in extensive vocational training that lasts more than two years.

5. Training Professional Staff:

Apprenticeship programs are oriented towards blue-collar specialties, paralegal, paramedical, and financial work. Training professional staff is an additional feature in apprenticeship that various companies and industries in the Netherlands go through. That is, various companies that recruit entry-level employees provide a staff development program. The majority of them are training employees to meet the target of the company such as increasing sales and profits.

6. Retention of skilled Workers and Employees:

Apprenticeship provides professional contracts after finishing the vocational training program. Various sectors are investing in the development of the professional team. For many industries, apprenticeship training is so vital to team retention for skilled workers. Even employees can settle in a long term project or professional contract through consistent training that meets the company’s target. Apprenticeship also helps recruiters to avoid talent replacement that might cost more than employee retention.

7. Identifying the Top Skills of the Present and Future Job Market

Professional skills can determine the target workforce. Apprenticeships in the Netherlands help prepare future managers for attracting the necessary skills for their businesses. For example, every field requires a teamwork strategy where leadership talents can begin applicants in their early recruitment stages to professional levels. The presence of staff training programs to prepare future leaders demonstrates the apprenticeships within organizations.

8. Improves Skills and Knowledge

Vocational training programs help to improve the knowledge and skills of applicants to keep pace with various changes in the job market. These different programs introduce improvements for the productivity of workers and employees. various apprenticeships programs increase the company's profits and efficiency, as various aspects in the vocational training programs include work ethics and human relations and safety.

9. New Work Strategies 

Implementing workplace training programs will help employees adopt the recent and cost effective strategies that increase productivity. Two years ago, the stagnant situation of the pandemic period and the costs of unemployment benefits increased the need for doubling the efforts to cover the financial losses. By following the trends of professional coaching, the labor market engages more efforts in providing apprenticeship programs that:

-Orient young applicants towards in-demand specialties

-Offer qualifications and diplomas that are equivalent to the European union standards.

-Update the professional staff with new skills and abilities for more productivity and motivation

10. Introduce New Technologies, Tools and Devices for Work

Apprenticeships are following the recent trends in technology. they provide the recent and necessary tools that can develop the labor market and make it more organized, accessible, and effective. Apprenticeship programs are also allowing the cooperation between manual and technical specialties to create more space for trained workforce to find labor in the productive sectors.

These were the top 10 advantages that make apprenticeships in the Netherlands so important. Apprenticeships create valuable opportunities for both graduates and apprentices to strengthen the economy.