The vocational training learning path (BOL).

What does your child learn in a BOL program? How is the time divided between school and internship? And what else should you know? Here you find answers to these important questions for mbo students.

Study load

A BOL program takes your child at least 1600 hours per year. These hours are divided into school hours and internship hours. This is stated in the law.

Guided school hours

The largest part of the BOL program hours is spent by your child at school. These hours are officially called guided school hours. These are the hours your child spends at school for lessons and projects. The minimum hours depend on the program:

• Entry program: at least 600 hours
• 1-year mbo level 2 or mbo level 4 specialist program: at least 700 hours per year
• 2-year mbo level 2 or mbo level 3 program: at least 1250 hours in total, with at least 700 in the first year
• 3-year mbo level 3 or mbo level 4 program: at least 1800 hours in total, with at least 700 in the first year
• 4-year mbo level 4 program: at least 2400 hours in total, with at least 700 in the first year

Internship hours

Your child also does a minimum number of internship hours. These hours are officially called work-based learning. During these hours, your child gains practical experience and learns to apply school knowledge at work. The minimum hours depend on the length of the program:

• 1-year mbo level 2 or mbo level 4 specialist program: at least 250 hours per year
• 2-year mbo level 2 or mbo level 3 program: at least 450 hours in total
• 3-year mbo level 3 or mbo level 4 program: at least 900 hours in total
• 4-year mbo level 4 program: at least 1200 hours in total

Choice

Why choose a BOL program? The advantage of a BOL program is that it focuses on theory. The student gets a good theoretical base that helps later at work. The student also gains practical experience with an internship at a company of choice. A BOL program is good if your child wants depth and also wants work experience.

Study finance

Students in a BOL program go to school five days a week. It may be possible for your child to travel free with a public transport annual card. From eighteen years old, your child probably also has the right to study finance.

Switching

What if your child made the wrong choice? And still wants to switch to a BBL program? That is possible, but sometimes it affects the internship company. In some cases, the student can stay with the internship company. In consultation with the provider, it is usually possible to switch to the BBL variant. Ask about this at the mbo institution.