Stimulating adults to continue learning

While we were compiling this edition of FoodInBusiness (which is focused on the topic of HR & training), it was announced that the Dutch Ministerial Council had approved the proposal by Minister Bussemaker of Education Culture and Science and Minister Asscher of Social Affairs and Employment.

What has been decided? “With an extensive and coherent package of measures, the cabinet will stimulate adults to continue learning, even if they already have a job,” states the Ministerial Council. Part-time university students of healthcare, welfare and technology-related subjects will receive vouchers enabling them to pay (part of) their study fees, educational institutes will better tailor their courses for part-time students, it will be easier to officially recognise an employee’s knowledge and skills, and at MBO (vocational) level it will be possible to gain certificates for parts of existing qualifications and so-called ‘optional modules’. These are the elements of the educational curriculum which a school is free to choose for itself order to better align itself with the needs of the local labour market. Such certificates will be welcomed by people who are unable to obtain a full MBO diploma due to inadequate language and/or numeracy skills.

Another new development is the combined ‘bol-bbl’ learning approach. This entails a part-time student completing the first part of their training course at a school/college (bol) and the second part primarily as an apprenticeship for an employer (bbl). This will make it easier for adults to switch to a sector with better job prospects. The experiment with this combined learning approach will start in coming the academic year, 2015-2016.

“Take good care of your employees, and they will take good care of your company. Training is part of that. It’s essential,” says a businessman in this edition. Another company doing a lot to stimulate employees to continue learning is Vergeer Holland. Good news for businesses is that the cabinet is prepared to subsidise SMEs who launch initiatives to improve employee training and mobility. The aim is to work together with SME employers and employees to support at least 1,000 companies.

Judith Witte
 
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