ROC van Amsterdam

What ROC van Amsterdam does

ROC van Amsterdam is a publicly funded Regional Training Center (ROC) delivering secondary vocational education (MBO) across the Amsterdam metropolitan area, serving approximately 26,000 students through nine distinct MBO colleges located in Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Diemen, Hoofddorp, Bussum, and Hilversum. The institution operates programs at mbo levels 1 through 5 in both BOL (school-based with internship) and BBL (work-based learning) formats, covering sectors including technology, construction, electro/installation, mobility, healthcare and welfare, business and retail, ICT and cybersecurity, creative arts, hospitality, aviation, and security. Specialized offerings include Beroepshavo bridging programs (vmbo to hbo), the mhbo Cybersecurity Trajectory developed with Hogeschool Inholland, the iZone orientation program for undecided students, the Entree entry-level pathway, sub-brands such as Johan Cruyff College (elite athletes), PACT+ Amsterdam (performing arts), MASk (make-up and hair artistry), and Jan des Bouvrie College (interior design). Student support is delivered through the Loopbaan Expertise Centrum (LEC), StudyMAX, and WeekendCollege.

The technology stack centers on Canvas LMS for learning management and content delivery, supplemented by in-house developed Open Educational Resources (Open Leermaterialen) including knowledge clips, animations, and e-learning modules produced by the Team Content Creation project and shared nationally via Xerte and Canvas Commons under the NPuls program. Student enrollment runs through the Portaal voor Talent and rocva.nl, requiring BSN or DigiD authentication. Revenue is generated primarily through Dutch government bekostiging (Wettelijke Bekostiging) from the Ministry of Education (OCW) on a per-enrollment basis, supplemented by statutory tuition fees (wettelijk lesgeld), B2B contract education (Maatwerk & Incompany), and adult education plus civic integration (inburgering) programs. Go-to-market combines event-driven Open Days across multiple campus locations, direct-to-consumer online enrollment, and community-led peer referral through student ambassadors, alumni testimonials, and the MBO Next alumni platform. Employer partnerships with AFAS Live, Ziggo Dome, Johan Cruijff ArenA, Schiphol Airport, AS Watson, Cordaan, OLVG-ziekenhuis, Bouwend Nederland, the Municipality of Amsterdam, and Hogeschool Inholland anchor internship pipelines and graduate placement.

Name

ROC van Amsterdam

Legal name

ROC van Amsterdam

Website

https://rocva.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

ROC van Amsterdam is a publicly funded Dutch vocational education institution operating nine MBO colleges across the Amsterdam metropolitan area, delivering BOL and BBL programs at levels 1–5 to approximately 26,000 students across technical, healthcare, business, creative, and aviation sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Instructional Delivery & Pedagogy (School-Led) (EDAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• MBO programs
• Adult training
• Work-based learning
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Nieuw-amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education (Wettelijke Bekostiging): ROC van Amsterdam is a publicly funded vocational education institution (mbo) receiving government funding from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) based on student enrollment numbers and performance metrics. This is the primary revenue source.
2. Statutory Tuition Fees (Lesgeld): Students pay statutory tuition fees set by Dutch law annually. These fees apply to both BOL (school-based) and BBL (work-based) programs. Additional costs for learning materials (books, laptop, software, work clothes) are charged separately.
3. Contract Education for Businesses (Bedrijven / Maatwerk & Incompany): ROC van Amsterdam offers customized training and education programs for companies and organizations, including in-company courses, language training, and professional development. This B2B stream generates revenue from businesses seeking workforce development.
4. Adult Education & Integration Programs (Educatie & Inburgering): Adult education programs including Dutch language courses (MBO + Taal), civic integration (inburgering), and part-time vocational programs for adults. These may be subsidized or fee-based.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ROC van Amsterdam is a publicly funded regional vocational education institution (MBO) delivering secondary vocational training across nine colleges in the Amsterdam metropolitan area, serving approximately 26,000 students. It offers BOL (school-based) and BBL (work-based) programs at levels 1 through 5 across sectors including technology, business, healthcare, creative industries, hospitality, and aviation. Beyond youth programs, it delivers adult education, civic integration courses, and customized in-company training for businesses.

Product overview

ROC van Amsterdam is a regional vocational education and training (mbo) institution offering programs across ten MBO Colleges (Airport, Amstelland, Centrum, Hilversum, Noord, West, Westpoort, Zuid, Zuidoost, and Jan des Bouvrie College). The institution provides BOL (full-time school + internship) and BBL (work-based learning) programs at levels 1 through 5, covering sectors including technology, business, healthcare, hospitality, creative arts, media, security, and aviation. Specialized offerings include Beroepshavo (a vmbo-to-hbo bridge at level 4), the mhbo Cybersecurity Trajectory (a level 5 bridge to hbo developed with Hogeschool Inholland), the iZone orientation program, and the Experience Lab with AI-enhanced healthcare simulations. Student support is delivered through the Loopbaan Expertise Centrum (LEC), StudyMAX, WeekendCollege, and digital study choice tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iZone: Orientation program for students who don't know which study program they want to follow
• Johan Cruyff College
• PACT+ Amsterdam
• MASk
• MBO Next
• Studiekeuzetips
• StudieMAX

Products and services

• MBO College Airport Vocational college located in Hoofddorp near Schiphol Airport offering airport-related, technical, and trade programs at mbo levels 1-4.
• MBO College Amstelland Vocational college in Amstelveen offering programs in business, technology, and healthcare at levels 1-4, known for internationalization and EPAS European Parliament accreditation.
• MBO College Centrum Vocational college in central Amsterdam with programs across multiple sectors including hospitality, business, and creative industries at levels 1-4.
• MBO College Hilversum Vocational college in Hilversum with modern facilities including media studios, car garage, styling salon, and restaurant, offering 89 programs at levels 1-4, known for sports and media programs.
• MBO College Noord Vocational college in Amsterdam-Noord offering programs in finance, legal, marketing, media, security, and care at levels 1-4, with 29 programs across 2 locations serving 1,837 students.
• MBO College West Vocational college in Amsterdam-West focused on healthcare and welfare (Zorg & Welzijn), training students as dental assistants, pharmacy assistants, caregivers, pedagogical workers, and nurses at levels 1-4, serving 4,083 students with a 73% graduation rate.
• MBO College Westpoort Vocational college in Amsterdam specializing in technical education including construction, electro & installation technology, metal & mechatronics, mobility technology, and engineering, with 84 programs across 3 locations serving 2,982 students.
• MBO College Zuid Vocational college in Amsterdam offering creative, cultural, sports, and service-oriented programs including the Johan Cruyff College for elite athletes, PACT+ Amsterdam for performing arts, and MASk for makeup and hair artistry at levels 1-5, with 47 programs across 5 locations.
• MBO College Zuidoost Vocational college in Amsterdam-Zuidoost focused on entrepreneurship, ICT, retail, security, and business, with programs from Entree to level 5 and special mhbo and Ad trajectories, serving 3,885 students across 54 programs.
• Jan des Bouvrie College Specialized vocational college focused on interior design and creative industries, part of the MBO College network.
• BOL Opleidingen (Beroeps Opleidende Leerweg) Full-time vocational programs combining classroom instruction with internship periods. Students attend school most of the week and complete one or more internship blocks at recognized training companies.
• BBL Opleidingen (Beroeps Begeleidende Leerweg) Part-time vocational programs combining work-based learning with school attendance. Students work at a recognized training company (minimum 24 hours/week) and attend school one or two days per week.
• Beroepshavo Bridge program between vmbo and hbo at level 4, focused on personal development and project-based learning using Design Thinking methodology. Prepares students for higher education or the labor market.
• mhbo Cybersecurity Trajectory Middelbaar hbo bridge program between mbo level 4 and hbo, developed in collaboration with Hogeschool Inholland. Students follow hbo-level cybersecurity components during their final two mbo years, aligned with the Associate degree Cybersecurity for seamless transition to higher education. First cohort launched September 2025.
• Entree Opleidingen Entry-level vocational programs (level 1) for students without a vmbo diploma, providing a pathway to mbo level 2 or direct employment. Available in multiple sectors including technology, construction, hospitality, and airport services.
• Maatwerk & Incompany (Customized Business Training) Customized in-company training and professional development programs for businesses and organizations, including in-company courses, language training, and tailored workforce development programs. Contact through [email protected].
• MBO + Taal en Inburgering (Adult Education and Integration) Adult education programs including Dutch language courses (MBO + Taal), civic integration (inburgering), and part-time vocational programs for adults. These may be subsidized or fee-based.
• VAVO (Joke Smit College) VAVO (Voortgezet Algemeen Volwassenen Onderwijs) secondary education for adults at the Joke Smit College, providing general adult secondary education.
• Experience Lab (Smart Healthcare Lab) Smart healthcare laboratory opened at MBO College West in partnership with the Health & Innovation District (HID). Students engage in realistic AI-powered lab scenarios, analyzing results and making decisions to prepare for future laboratory work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% graduation rate at MBO College West
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hogeschool InhollandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025ROC van Amsterdam and Hogeschool Inholland signed a cooperation agreement on December 18, 2025, for the mhbo Cybersecurity trajectory. This program bridges mbo level 4 and hbo Associate degree (Ad Cybersecurity), allowing mbo students to take hbo-level components during their final two years of mbo. The initiative addresses growing demand for cybersecurity professionals and provides a structured pathway from mbo to hbo. The first cohort started in September 2025.
• Gemeente Amsterdam (Municipality of Amsterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerROC van Amsterdam collaborates with the Municipality of Amsterdam on multiple initiatives: the BouwAcademie Amsterdam (BAA) at MBO College Westpoort's Volmerstraat location, NexTechnician Mobiliteitstechniek at Kabelweg 88, and the Vakschool Technische Installaties (VTI). These partnerships align curriculum with municipal workforce needs and provide authentic learning environments.
• NexTechnician Mobiliteitstechniek (Regional Mobility Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNexTechnician Mobiliteitstechniek is a collaboration at MBO College Westpoort's Kabelweg 88 location between ROC van Amsterdam and regional mobility companies and the municipality of Amsterdam. Leermeesters (master craftsmen) from industry and mbo teachers teach together using the latest techniques. The program provides direct pathways to employment in the mobility sector.
• Vakschool Technische Installaties (VTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTI is a collaboration between ROC van Amsterdam, industry, brancheverenigingen (industry associations), and the Municipality of Amsterdam, focused on Electro & Installatietechniek (Electrical and Installation Technology) programs. The partnership ensures curriculum relevance to industry needs and provides work placement opportunities.
• BouwAcademie Amsterdam (BAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBouwAcademie Amsterdam is a unique collaboration between ROC van Amsterdam, the Municipality of Amsterdam, Bouwmensen Amsterdam, and Bouwend Nederland regio Amsterdam. Located at Volmerstraat 22 in Diemen, BAA provides vocational training for careers in construction and accelerates innovation in the construction sector. Students benefit from industry-aligned curriculum and employer connections.
• AS WatsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAS Watson is the parent company of pharmacy and cosmetics retail chains (including Kruidvat, Trekpleister, ICI PARIS XL, and De Tuinen). The AS Watson Retail-Route at MBO College Noord guarantees students employment at one of these chains upon successful completion of the program. This partnership provides a direct employment pathway for students.
• AFAS Live, Ziggo Dome, Johan Cruijff ArenAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor entertainment and events venues near MBO College Zuidoost serve as nearby employers and internship hosts for students. These companies provide authentic workplace learning opportunities in a dynamic international environment in Amsterdam-Zuidoost.
• Cordaan and OLVG-ziekenhuis locatie WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBO College West (Zorg & Welzijn programs) works closely with healthcare providers Cordaan and OLVG-ziekenhuis locatie West. These partnerships provide internship placements, authentic clinical learning environments, and potential employment pathways for graduates of healthcare programs.
• Health & Innovation District (HID) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth & Innovation District (HID) is a collaborative ecosystem involving MBO College West, government (wethouder Sofyan Mbarki), and the Life Sciences & Health sector. The partnership opened the Experience Lab at MBO College West, where students engage in realistic smart healthcare lab scenarios combining practical education, technology, storytelling, and AI.
• Gom, Verbego, Hago, VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThese cleaning and facility management companies are recognized learning companies (erkende leerbedrijven) for the BBL variant of Entree Airport at MBO College Airport in Hoofddorp. Employees of these companies can be directly enrolled in the program through company referral.
• Bredero MavominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerROC van Amsterdam shares its MBO College Noord building with Bredero Mavo, a secondary school. The two schools are integrated across floors, creating an interdisciplinary environment while maintaining separate identities.
• Stichting Samenwerking Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven (SBB)coreOthersSBB is the Dutch foundation responsible for cooperation between vocational education (mbo) and business. SBB recognizes learning companies (erkende leerbedrijven) and provides the 'Studie in Cijfers' platform for program quality and labor market data. ROC van Amsterdam references SBB for program quality data.
• NPulsminorOthersNPuls is a national program coordinating open educational resources (Open Leermaterialen) across mbo, hbo, and wo institutions in the Netherlands. ROC van Amsterdam participates in NPuls, contributing to and drawing from shared open educational content infrastructure.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam: Specialized Dutch mbo college focused on media, design, and creative industries; comparable in being a publicly funded vocational provider within the same Dutch mbo system.
• Alfa-college: Regional training center in Groningen providing mbo vocational education across a comparable multi-college structure with strong employer ties in the northern Netherlands.
• Curio: West-Brabant-based mbo institution delivering vocational programs at levels 1-4 across multiple campuses, with the same publicly funded operating model as ROC van Amsterdam.
• VISTA College: Limburg-based mbo institution offering BOL and BBL vocational programs across technical, healthcare, and service sectors under the same Dutch public-funding regulatory framework.
• ROC Twente: Regional training center serving the Twente region with mbo vocational programs across multiple sectors under the Dutch wettelijke bekostiging model, comparable in scale and structure.
• Summa College: Large Eindhoven-based mbo institution offering technical, healthcare, business, and creative vocational programs under the same Dutch wettelijke bekostiging framework as ROC van Amsterdam.
• MBO Rijnland: Regional mbo provider in the Leiden/Leiden region operating multiple colleges with BOL/BBL programs and employer-embedded pathways analogous to ROC van Amsterdam's college network.
• NOVA College: Major Dutch mbo institution serving the Haarlem and broader North Holland region with similar BOL/BBL vocational programs, employer partnerships, and government funding model.
• ROC Midden Nederland: One of the largest regional training centers (ROCs) in the Netherlands, delivering mbo programs across multiple colleges in the Utrecht/Amersfoort region with comparable school-based vocational delivery and government funding model.

Broad incumbents

• NCOI: Largest private vocational and higher professional education provider in the Netherlands, competing for adult learners and corporate training demand that overlaps with ROC van Amsterdam's Maatwerk & Incompany and adult-education streams.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ROCVAPODIUM
• Instagraminstagram.com/rocvanamsterdam
• TikToktiktok.com/@rocvanamsterdam
• Xx.com/rocva
• Facebookfacebook.com/rocvanamsterdam

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ROC van Amsterdam