De Techniek Academie

What De Techniek Academie does

De Techniek Academie is a Dutch work-based vocational training institution (MBO-BBL) founded in 2012 and based in Harderwijk, Netherlands, operating as a vereniging (association) of roughly 160 regional technical companies in the Noordwest-Veluwe and Oost Flevoland regions. The organization delivers six accredited MBO diploma programs (Verspanen, Constructiewerk, Elektrotechnische Systemen, Mechatronica, Werktuigkundige Installaties, Elektrotechnische Installaties) through a 2-days-school / 3-days-work model in partnership with Landstede MBO, plus a 12-week Vakmanschapstraject for adult career switchers and customized corporate courses via the 'Groeien in de techniek' initiative with Groei Opleidingen. The academy acts as legal employer of students during training, with students earning a salary for 5 days per week while graduating into guaranteed employment at their member-company placement.

The business model rests on three interlocking revenue streams: (1) member company contributions and association fees from the 160+ participating employers, who gain access to pre-screened apprentices and curriculum influence; (2) tuition-free education funded indirectly through the Dutch BBL funding regime and regional subsidies (e.g., 'Leve(n)lang Gelders Vakmanschap'); and (3) corporate training fees from customized courses delivered to existing technical employees at member firms. Customer segments split between B2C (young VMBO graduates and adult career switchers as students) and B2B (regional manufacturers, installers, and engineering firms as member employers). The organization claims a 98% graduation/success rate and has trained 300+ skilled workers since founding (with a separate figure of 525 vakmensen opgeleid cited on the bedrijven page). Membership has expanded from 100 companies in 2017 to 160+ in 2025, and the academy co-founded the TechNext national platform in January 2026 to federate with similar technical business schools across the Netherlands. Notable endorsements include a 2019 royal visit by King Willem-Alexander and a 2024 Skills Heroes Dutch Championship in welding.

Name

De Techniek Academie

Legal name

De Techniek Academie

Website

https://detechniekacademie.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

De Techniek Academie is a Dutch work-based MBO vocational training association of 160+ regional companies, delivering accredited technical diploma programs in Harderwijk through a 2-days-school/3-days-work model with Landstede MBO for VMBO graduates and adult career switchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Technical Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Career Services & Career Readiness (EDALABAB)

Keywords

• Vocational technical education
• Work-based learning programs
• MBO BBL training
• Technical apprenticeship training
• Metal and mechatronics education

Headquarters

HQ city

Harderwijk

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Member Company Contributions: De Techniek Academie operates as an association of companies. Member companies pay to participate and gain access to trained students who become employees after graduation. The organization functions as the legal employer of students during their training, handling payroll while students work at member companies.
2. Customized Training Programs: The organization offers customized courses and training programs for member companies' existing employees through the 'Groeien in de techniek' initiative with Groei Opleidingen. Companies pay for bespoke technical training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

De Techniek Academie runs Dutch MBO-level BBL work-study programs where students attend two days of theory at the Harderwijk academy and three days of paid work at one of 160+ member companies, earning a salary for five days while studying toward a recognized Landstede MBO diploma. It offers six technical specializations (verspanen, constructiewerk, elektrotechnische systemen, mechatronica, werktuigkundige installaties, elektrotechnische installaties), the 12-week Vakmanschapstraject for career switchers, and corporate training via Groeien in de techniek.

Product overview

De Techniek Academie is a work-learn vocational training institution (onderwijsinstelling) offering MBO-level technical education programs in partnership with Landstede MBO. The organization operates a dual learning model where students attend 2 days of theory at the academy and work 3 days at a partner company. The product portfolio includes six MBO education programs covering Productietechniek (Verspanen, Constructiewerk) and Mechatronica (Elektrotechnische Systemen, Mechatronica, Werktuigkundige Installaties, Elektrotechnische Installaties). Supporting offerings include the 12-week Vakmanschapstraject Techniek for rapid career changers, Groeien in de techniek corporate training courses, and a Quickscan orientation tool. Students receive an accredited Landstede MBO diploma upon completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Verspanen (Machining) MBO-level work-study program teaching precision machining including lathe work, milling, and CNC programming to produce high-precision metal components; designed for students seeking careers in machining and CNC operation.
• Constructiewerk (Construction/Welding) MBO-level work-study program focused on metal fabrication, welding, and structural construction work for industrial applications, for students aiming to become welders or construction fabricators.
• Elektrotechnische Systemen (Electrical Systems) MBO-level work-study program training students to manufacture, test, and install electrical components and systems including control panels and production systems for industrial applications.
• Mechatronica (Mechatronics) MBO-level work-study program covering assembly, testing, and maintenance of automated machines and mechatronic systems that combine mechanical, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and hydraulic components.
• Werktuigkundige Installaties (Mechanical Installations) MBO-level work-study program training students in plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical installation work including water, gas, heating systems, and sustainable energy solutions.
• Elektrotechnische Installaties (Electrical Installations) MBO-level work-study program teaching installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems including wiring, lighting, security systems, and home automation (domotica) in residential and commercial buildings.
• Vakmanschapstraject Techniek 12-week intensive training program preparing career switchers for technical work across six specializations: Welder, Machine Operator Assistant, Plumber Assistant, Electrician Assistant, Electrical Panel Builder Assistant, and Assembly Mechanic Assistant. Free for participants via the 'Leve(n)lang Gelders Vakmanschap' subsidy.
• Groeien in de techniek (Cursussen) Customized corporate training courses for member companies, offered in partnership with Groei Opleidingen (Landstede Groep), covering welding, electrical, plumbing, and other technical skills for existing employees.
• Quickscan Online self-assessment questionnaire that helps prospective students determine which technical field and training program best matches their preferences and working style.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% graduation/success rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and supporting.

• TechNext (National Technical Business Schools Platform)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026TechNext is the national platform of technical business schools for metal and electro industries. De Techniek Academie is a co-initiator of this platform, bundling forces with similar institutions across the Netherlands.
• Groei Opleidingen (Landstede Groep)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Groei Opleidingen partners with De Techniek Academie on the 'Groeien in de techniek' initiative to offer customized training programs and courses for member companies. Groei Opleidingen is part of the Landstede Groep.
• Landstede MBOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Landstede MBO is the educational institution partner that provides theoretical education and issues recognized diplomas. Students attend Landstede MBO for theory while De Techniek Academie provides practical training. This is a fundamental partnership enabling the work-study model.
• Platform Techniek Noordwest-VeluwecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association that helped establish De Techniek Academie and continues to promote technical careers in the region. Led by Jeroen Hofstra (VMI Group). Involved in organizing events like Techniek in Beeld.
• InstallatieWerksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the work-study initiative helping connect technical companies with potential employees and supporting the academy's mission to train technical professionals.
• Startcollege, Veluwe Portaal, Leve(n)lang Gelders VakmanschapsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners that enable the Vakmanschapstraject program for career switchers, providing subsidies and support for 12-week intensive technical training for unemployed or career-changing adults.
• Bureau TechnieksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBureau Techniek collaborates with De Techniek Academie and Landstede Groei Opleidingen to promote technical careers and education in the Harderwijk region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Landstede MBO: The largest regional MBO institution in the Zwolle/Veluwe area and the academy's core educational partner. Directly comparable as a Dutch MBO provider serving the same geography and student demographic, but with a much broader curriculum portfolio beyond technical trades.

Others

• Bureau Techniek: National sector organization promoting technical careers and supporting technical education in the Netherlands. Co-partner with the academy on regional technical career promotion in Harderwijk.
• Platform Techniek Noordwest-Veluwe: Regional industry association that co-founded De Techniek Academie and continues to coordinate technical-employer engagement. Closely connected enabling organization rather than a direct education competitor.
• InstallatieWerk: Dutch sector organization partnering with De Techniek Academie and focused on connecting technical installation employers with talent. Adjacent ecosystem participant addressing the same employer-side labor shortage in installation trades.

Direct peers

• Techniek College Rotterdam: Specialized technical MBO focused on metal, installation and mechatronics trades with a similar work-based learning approach. Most directly comparable specialist technical school peer, although operating in the Rotterdam region rather than the Veluwe.
• Hoornbeeck College: Vocational MBO with strong technical programs (including metalworking and installation) and an explicit BBL apprenticeship focus. Closely comparable in pedagogical model and employer-driven curriculum design.
• Bouwmensen: Dutch sector organization running BBL apprenticeship pathways for the construction trades, applying the same work-based learning model with member companies that De Techniek Academie uses for metal/electro. Closely analogous business model in an adjacent trade vertical.

Regional players

• Firda: MBO institution in Friesland offering technical and vocational BBL programs with strong employer partnerships. Operates a comparable regional technical-education model in a different Dutch geography.
• Deltion College: Large MBO institution based in Zwolle, in the same operating region as De Techniek Academie. Offers comparable technical MBO programs (BBL/BOL) and competes for the same VMBO-graduate pool and regional employer placements.
• ROC Aventus: Regional MBO in Apeldoorn serving Noordwest-Veluwe. Offers technical and vocational BBL programs and competes for the same student and employer base as De Techniek Academie within overlapping geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/De-Techniek-Academie-104477386344146
• Instagraminstagram.com/detechniekacademie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/de-techniek-academie

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 De Techniek Academie