An alarming headline in the news: ‘’Tens of thousands of interns have been at home for weeks, in uncertainty’’. This is about Dutch VET students who have lost their work placement due to the corona crisis. Some students may not get their diploma. The Dutch VET council responds. Most VET students can continue their work placement, some in adapted form.
What is happening with work placements in VET? I read about online learning, digital competence, loss of jobs, but little about work based learning and practical training.
I wanted to know more and called a friend. Theo Peters was my colleague when I worked for a Dutch sector skills council. Now he works for SBB, the Foundation for Cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and Labour Market. He accredits and supports companies which provide work placements to VET students. In normal times he visits the companies, now he talks with them on the phone.
Most companies in the technology sector have remained open, Theo tells me. Or they are reopening after a temporary shut-down such as car manufacturer VDL Nedcar. Some companies have a hard time but they persist. They have sent their flex workers home but have kept their VET students. These companies think: Better to invest. Good times will return and then we will need these students. Companies also welcome new interns.
The picture is less positive in sectors like hospitality, catering and personal care. Businesses have closed, interns are at home and the VET schools are facing a big challenge. What to do with final examinations of which a big part is a so-called ‘’proof of competence’’? Society is now starting up again. The businesses in these sectors will reopen but under different and difficult circumstances. Will these businesses take their interns and apprentices in again?
Our prime minister mentioned VET in a COVID-19 press conference this week. From June 15 secondary vocational education can again take exams and practical training, if we keep the virus under control.
SBB presents an action plan to maintain work placements and apprenticeships. The action plan has three ambitions. 1. All VET students can continue their work placement or apprenticeship this school year. Or they get an alternative from school. 2. A work placement or apprenticeship is available for all VET students in the new school year. 3. Education and business create a tailor-made action plan for each sector and region.
The words of the prime minister are encouraging and the SBB action plan brings hope. Much depends on how companies will behave.
Some employers and HR managers think that work placements are not their priority now. To them I say: Treasure your interns and apprentices. You will need them later.
Some VET students are stuck in sectors that offer little perspective to find work. To them I say: Use this time to widen your range of skills and look for more promising sectors.
Yes you are right Ariana. It is important that the government sets conditions. But we see that much depends on the employers, companies. If they don't act noting happens, in this case keeping interns and apprentices.