The number of new students in higher vocational education decreased by 5.5 percent this academic year compared to last year. The number of students is lower in all sectors, but health makes a difference.
This results from a report with provisional data on the recruitment of the Education Executive Agency (DUO).
The number of students for health care programs decreased by 12.5 percent. In 2020, there were more healthcare students due to the corona pandemic, but in 2021 that number fell rapidly again.
The technology and education sectors are once again less popular. For some time there has been a shortage of staff in these sectors, so an influx of students is absolutely necessary.
Associate degree programs (AD) are actually more popular. AD is a two-year course ranging from MBO-4 to HBO level. Interest in this is great and growing. “We think AD bridges the gap between MBO-4 and HBO by lowering the threshold that MBO students feel they are doing another four-year bachelor’s degree,” explains a spokesperson for the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences. This two-year course can be taken in all types of areas, such as education, technology or ICT.
AD students immediately start working in practice during their studies. If they have completed AD training, they can follow a shortened route to obtaining a higher vocational education degree. Exemptions are often also possible for some subjects. Therefore, AD can be an attractive way for students who want to transition into a career in education. AD cannot solve the teacher shortage, but “every little one helps,” according to the spokesperson.
