House of Representatives on secondary vocational education: motions adopted about participation, internships, and costs.

House of Representatives on secondary vocational education: motions adopted about participation, internships, and costs.

On 30 June, the House of Representatives voted on the motions from the two-minute debate about secondary vocational education. A number of motions were adopted. The adopted motions are about student participation, finding an internship, the costs of secondary vocational education, and the position of secondary vocational education. Below is what they mean.

Students get a voice in plans for secondary vocational education 

The government is working on a national talent strategy: a plan to train young people for jobs with high demand. BBB and Practical education track want secondary vocational education students from different regions and programs to be actively involved in this plan, so it becomes clear what they need to make a good study choice.

Faster and easier internship placement 

Secondary vocational education students do internships at recognized learning companies. That recognition is done by the SBB, the organization that connects schools and companies. JA21 wants this approval to be faster and smoother, and that an approved internship place can also be used for similar programs. The minister advised against the motion, but the House still adopted it. 

More internship places for professions with shortages 

For some programs there are too few internship places, so schools can admit fewer students—especially for professions with major shortages, like in technology and care. JA21 asked the government to investigate with schools and those sectors how more internship places can be created, and to inform the House about this before the annual debate on the education budget in 2027. 

Secondary vocational education as a full, separate type of education 

In laws and policies, secondary vocational education is sometimes grouped together with primary and secondary education, while its level actually fits better with higher education. Practical education track asked the government to stop automatically combining secondary vocational education with primary and secondary education, unless there is a good reason. This gives secondary vocational education its own, stronger position.

Quality of secondary vocational education remains important

The House of Representatives wants secondary vocational education to better match the labor market. At the same time, it is important that the quality of education remains good.

Ouders & Onderwijs was previously concerned about the bill Improving alignment of vocational education and labor market (Vaba). Because of this proposal, secondary vocational education students get less mandatory supervised study time.

According to Ouders & Onderwijs, there is a risk that students will get less guidance from teachers. This can affect the quality of education.