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Minister Van Engelshoven presented the Final evaluation of the Regional Investment Fund for vocational education and training (VET) 2014-2018 to the Second Chamber on 15 December (see Chamber letter). The Regional Investment Fund for VET (RIF) was introduced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) in 2014 to stimulate the establishment of collaboration between education (public) and industry (private). This public-private partnership is a means to achieve the ultimate goal: improving the alignment between education and the labour market in VET. Dialogic, together with Ecorys, examined whether the intended improved alignment was indeed achieved thanks to the resources made available through the RIF.
Between 2014 and 2018, 120 projects received grants totaling €107.6 million. The scheme is now well-known among VET institutions: almost every VET institution has been involved in a RIF application. The sectors of technology, health and welfare, and construction were most represented in the granted applications. We conclude that the RIF functions well as an instrument to strengthen and accelerate collaboration between education and the labour market (often existing collaborations). The primary effect of the RIF is the renewal of education (enhanced content quality). Additionally, we find that the collaboration contributes to a better alignment with the labour market but does not directly resolve issues. The effects for companies (especially in cases of quantitative shortages) will only become apparent over a longer term. The main focus should be on keeping companies engaged (particularly SMEs).
Want to learn more about this evaluation? Contact Tessa Groot Beumer.
(photo: techniekbeeldbank.nl)
