What SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen VZW does

SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen VZW is a Flemish non-profit (vzw) vocational training organization founded in 1980, operating three core campuses in Sint-Niklaas (headquarters), Aalst, and Gent, with additional specialized training sites for logistics, safety, and transport certifications across East Flanders, Belgium. The organization provides practical, employer-aligned education to approximately 5,000 students annually across 15+ sectors including trades, beauty, construction, IT, healthcare, hospitality, marketing, and transport. Delivery formats span dual learning programs for youth aged 15-25 (combining classroom and workplace), full-time day programs (15 weeks to 1.5 years), evening courses for working professionals, refresher courses, and entrepreneurship trajectories under the 'Start Me Up' brand. The core technology underpinning operations is the MijnSyntra digital learning portal for course materials, schedules, and self-serve registration.

The business model combines fee-based course enrollment with VLAIO government subsidies for recognized training programs and B2B corporate training delivered through the nxtpro (Skilled By bv) subsidiary. Revenue diversification spans individual learner fees, B2B contracts via nxtpro, and government subsidies channeled through the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). SYNTRA holds ISO 9001 quality certification (since May 2019) and operates under the Flemish government's SYNTRA network framework. Its customer base is highly fragmented across SMB learners, aspiring entrepreneurs, dual learning companies (leerbedrijven), and corporate clients. Since 2021, management has been integrated with sister organization Syntra Brussel under shared leadership 'Team T', and a mastercampus in the Ghent region is planned for September 2027 in collaboration with VDAB and two higher education institutions.

Name

SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen VZW

Legal name

Syntra Midden-Vlaanderen vzw

Website

https://syntra-mvl.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen VZW is a Flemish non-profit vocational training organization providing practical, employer-aligned education across 15+ sectors to ~5,000 students annually via dual learning, day programs, and evening courses at campuses in East Flanders, Belgium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Professional education
• Entrepreneurship courses
• Dual learning programs
• Corporate training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zele

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Course enrollment fees: Fee-based professional training courses for individuals seeking vocational education and skills development
2. B2B Corporate Training (via nxtpro): Business-to-business training services for companies through the nxtpro subsidiary, supporting employee development and skills training
3. Government-subsidized courses: VLAIO-recognized and subsidized training programs for eligible participants

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen VZW delivers practice-oriented vocational training and education programs for individuals seeking professional qualifications, aspiring entrepreneurs, and youth aged 15-25 in dual learning pathways. The organization offers courses across 15+ sectors through three main campuses (Aalst, Gent, Sint-Niklaas) and multiple satellite training locations, delivering full-time day programs, evening courses, and distance learning with VLAIO-recognized diplomas. Its nxtpro subsidiary provides corporate workforce development services to companies and organizations.

Product overview

SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen VZW is a vocational training organization in Belgium offering practical, employer-aligned education through multiple delivery formats: Dual Learning (combining workplace and classroom), full-time day programs, evening courses, and apprenticeships. The organization provides training across 15+ sectors including Trades & Interiors, Beauty & Wellness, Construction & Energy, Finance, IT & Media, Horticulture, Hospitality, HR & Management, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sports & Healthcare, Transport & Logistics, Safety & Prevention, and Vehicles & Metals. Key program offerings include Start Me Up (entrepreneurship), Dual Learning vocational tracks, VCA/BA safety certifications, Code 95 transport qualifications, and professional courses in areas like 3D printing, cybersecurity, and AI tools. The organization operates through its B2B division nxtpro and subsidiary Mezure, with three campuses in Aalst, Gent, and Sint-Niklaas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• nxtpro: B2B division offering training and support services for companies, including company support, becoming a learning company, and subsidies.
• Start Me Up

Products and services

• Dual Learning (Duaal Leren)

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 5,000 students trained annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VLAIO (Vlaams Agentschap Innoveren & Ondernemen)coreOthersGovernment agency that recognizes and subsidizes SYNTRA's training programs. SYNTRA develops, offers, and organizes VLAIO-recognized and subsidized training. Certificates and diplomas are officially recognized by VLAIO.
• VDABminorOthersFlemish public employment service. SYNTRA aligns some programs with VDAB's bottleneck professions (knelpuntberoepen) list and collaborates on future mastercampus development.
• Two Hogescholen (Higher Education Institutions)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institutions collaborating on the future mastercampus development in the Gent region, alongside VDAB.
• Skilled By bv (nxtpro)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorB2B subsidiary spun off from SYNTRA's business division. Shares same administrative systems and headquarters. Provides training services for companies and organizations.
• Leerbedrijven (Learning Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of companies that host dual learning students, providing workplace training opportunities. Companies must register to become a learning company (leerbedrijf) to participate in dual learning programs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• VDAB: Flemish public employment and vocational training service that collaborates with SYNTRA on bottleneck professions (knelpuntberoepen) and the future Mastercampus Gent. Direct competitor in government-funded workforce training targeting the same Flemish adult learner segments.
• Syntra Brussel: Brussels-based SYNTRA organization serving the Brussels region with the same Flemish-government-mandated vocational training model. Sister entity to SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen under shared 'Team T' management, making it the closest direct peer in mission, curriculum, and subsidy structure.
• CVO (Centra voor Volwassenenonderwijs): Belgian network of government-subsidized adult education centers offering secondary-level vocational diplomas and modular training. Overlaps directly with SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen across adult learners, evening formats, and state-recognized credentials for the same Flemish learner base.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global online learning platform offering certifications, professional certificates, and degree programs from universities and industry partners. Competes with SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen for adult upskilling across IT, business, and digital marketing courses, especially the AI-essentials and cybersecurity offerings.
• Skillsoft: Enterprise corporate learning platform offering compliance training, leadership development, and technology skill pathways to global organizations. Comparable to SYNTRA's nxtpro B2B division plus VCA/Code 95/BA4-BA5 compliance offerings at scale.
• ManpowerGroup (Training Solutions / RPO): Global workforce solutions and training provider, including ManpowerGroup Training, which delivers vocational upskilling and certified programs for employer clients. Provides an international benchmark for the workforce-development half of SYNTRA's mission.
• Syntra Vlaanderen: Umbrella network/parent for all SYNTRA organizations across Flanders, established under the Flemish government decree of May 7, 2004. Operates at a broader scale than SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen and overlaps on certification recognition and sector-wide policy coordination.
• Udemy Business: Enterprise version of the Udemy marketplace offering B2B workforce training across business, technology, and creative skills. Directly comparable to the nxtpro B2B training arm in employer-purchased learning for skills development.
• Pearson (Workforce Skills / BTEC): Global education and vocational credentials company offering BTEC-style vocational qualifications and corporate training. Comparable in certification-led vocational training at international scale, providing strategic context for SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen's VLAIO-recognized diploma model.

Regional players

• Bruxelles Formation: Brussels-region public vocational training provider serving the same adult-learner population as SYNTRA Brussel. Comparable bilingual subsidized training model and credentialing framework, but operating primarily in Brussels Capital-Region rather than Flanders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/syntramvl
• LinkedInbe.linkedin.com/school/syntra-mvl
• Instagraminstagram.com/syntramvl
• Xx.com/syntramvl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 SYNTRA Midden-Vlaanderen VZW