Choosing a vocational education course: tips for parents.

When choosing an mbo course, your child can certainly use some help. But how do you help your child choose an mbo course? And what should you look for during an open day? We give you six tips.

2. Look at your child’s languages and interests

Using your child’s talents and interests is important when making a study choice. This way, your child ends up in a place that fits. By asking questions like: ‘what does my child like?’ and: ‘what is my child good at?’ you get a clear picture and can start selecting one or more fields. Ask your child also if they prefer to learn by working at a company or by studying at school. This helps you decide if your child wants a BOL or a BBL course.

3. Select one or more fields

Maybe your child already knows the fields in which they want to study. Maybe it is harder to link talents and interests to a specific field. Either way, it is useful to do a study choice test. It takes little time and can give interesting insights. A choice test shows which domains or sectors match your child’s interests and talents. It is also wise to read about the different studies.

4. Research the conditions

When choosing a suitable study, you look beyond your child’s interests and talents. Also check the future outlook of the different courses. Is there (a lot of) work in that sector? And are there any extra admission requirements? By checking this beforehand, you avoid (unpleasant) surprises when the choice moment arrives.

5. Visit open days together

Go with your child to open days. Together you get a fuller picture: you see things your child does not and vice versa. You may ask questions earlier about the costs of the course or the expected intake activities while your child focuses more on the atmosphere and content of the course. Afterwards, you evaluate together what your child thought of the courses and schools. Then you make a choice based on that.

6. Register your child on time

The time is almost here! Your child has made a well-considered choice. Now it is time to register. But what is on time? At least before April 1. Then your child has the right to admission. You can register earlier too. For popular courses, this is even recommended because the course can be full otherwise. Pay close attention: some courses have different registration deadlines or limited places. This must be clear at registration. If your child registers later, the mbo school can refuse your child.