Qualifications

All jobs and functions of vocational occupations are described in occupational profiles. These occupational profiles form the basis for the qualification files, in which qualifications are described and are developed by the labour market. The qualification files are developed by Centres of Expertise. The qualification file in which the requirements for a starting professional practitioner have been laid down is offered to the testing unit within the SBB. This is an independent body by authority of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science that assesses the quality of the qualification files.

Companies and educational institutions use the qualification files for the development of study programmes and exams. The content of the programme of education and training is determined by the educational institutions. The subjects offered to the participants are laid down in the curricula.

The Dutch qualifications structure

Within the SBB, educational and social partners discuss which skills and competences are relevant for a VET student and which he or she should be able to perform at the end of his or her VET education. The agreements between schools and the labour market are laid down within the VET qualifications structure. 

The qualifications structure stands for:

  • Social partners (employers, employees) and educational institutes are involved in the description of the qualifications.
  • Qualifications are based on competencies. Competencies are the sum of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are needed for the job, in society or for further study.
  • Qualification files have been laid down in one singular format by using one fixed set of 25 competencies. This ensures the same structure and layout for all qualification files and increases the comparability between the various qualifications in the qualifications structure.
  • The qualifications structure is foremost used as a basis to develop study programs but can also be applied to the process of accreditation of prior learning, job-seeking and examination.