What Dirksen Opleidingen does

Dirksen Opleidingen B.V. is a privately held Dutch technical ICT education provider founded in 1965 (operating for nearly 60 years) and headquartered in Elst, Gelderland, with 43 employees. The company operates through two legal entities — Dirksen Opleidingen B.V. (KvK 50043846) and Hogeschool Dirksen B.V. (KvK 09090408) — delivering a portfolio of more than 250 technical ICT courses, training programs, and accredited diplomas across electrical engineering/electronics, industrial automation, telecommunications, computer and network technology, programming, and the emerging energy-transition vertical. Its product surface spans three tiers: short professional courses (€415-€1,400) and self-study modules with online guidance; accredited MBO-College vocational diplomas delivered in BBL/work-based learning format at €6,850-€6,900 annually over 2-4 years; and NVAO-accredited HBO Bachelor and Associate Degree programs in Technical Informatics at €7,500 per 12-month period, with specializations in Industrial Automation and ICT-Telecom.

The technology backbone is the DirksenOnline/DirksenPlaza learning management system, which provides 24/7 course access, automated multiple-choice homework correction with explanations, study planning tools, an employer progress-monitoring dashboard, and free PLC simulation software bundled with the Meettechniek course. Core intellectual property is the in-house developed course catalog and associated study materials, kept current via free course updates during the study period. Distribution combines owned classroom training centers in Elst, Maarssen, and Tilburg; a 20+ location VCA training network across the Netherlands; self-study enrollment via the company website with phone and email study advisors; and custom corporate training (maatwerk) delivered on-site or at Dirksen facilities. Accreditations and certifications are central to the value proposition: NVAO accreditation for HBO programs, NRTO quality mark, CRKBO registration, CKB recognition for copper and fiber optic courses, CBT-supervised telecom exams, official Cisco Networking Academy status for CCNA delivery, and MBO diploma recognition under Article 1.4.1 of the WEB.

The business model operates on three revenue streams: one-time fees for short courses and individual examinations (€160-€240 per exam), annual subscription tuition for accredited MBO and HBO diploma programs, and bespoke professional services fees for corporate custom training. Customers include individual technical professionals seeking certifications, MBO and HBO students pursuing accredited diplomas (often via work-based learning), and corporate clients in technical and IT sectors — with named accounts such as Priva and Baas B.V. International reach is limited to a Caribbean reseller agreement with ABC Opleiding & Training covering Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao for self-study courses. The company has no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and operates as an independent private limited company.

Name

Dirksen Opleidingen

Legal name

Dirksen Opleidingen B.V.

Website

https://dirksen.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dirksen Opleidingen is a privately held Dutch technical ICT education provider, founded in 1965 and headquartered in Elst, Netherlands, delivering 250+ courses and accredited MBO/HBO diplomas to individual professionals, vocational students, and corporate clients across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technical Vocational Education and Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Computer Training (611420), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Networking & Telecommunications (Routing/Switching, Wireless, VoIP) (EDABAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA), Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Emerging Tech & Specialized Computing (IoT, Edge, AR/VR, Blockchain, HPC) (EDABAFAO)

Keywords

• Technical ICT training
• Vocational education programs
• Professional certification courses
• E-learning platform
• Corporate training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Elst (Gelderland)

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices24 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 Fees: Revenue from individual courses including self-study with online guidance, classroom training, and practical training. Pricing varies by course duration and format.
2. Examination Fees: Fees charged for examinations administered monthly at the Elst training center.
3. MBO College Tuition: Annual tuition for MBO-level vocational programs (BBL/work-based learning format). Programs run 2-4 years with annual fees of €6,850-6,900.
4. HBO Bachelor/Associate Degree Tuition: Tuition for higher professional education programs in Technical Informatics with specialization tracks. Fee of €7,500 per 12-month period with term payment options.
5. Corporate Custom Training: Custom training solutions (maatwerk) developed for specific organizational needs, serving both large enterprises and SMB clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dirksen Opleidingen delivers 250+ technical ICT courses and accredited vocational (MBO) and higher professional (HBO) programs through a blended model combining self-study, e-learning, classroom training at owned centers, and corporate custom training (maatwerk). Offerings span electrical engineering, industrial automation, telecommunications, networking, programming, and energy transition, leading to officially recognized diplomas, Cisco CCNA certifications, and CBT/CKB-supervised credentials.

Product overview

Dirksen Opleidingen is a Dutch technical ICT education provider offering over 250 training programs organized into three main divisions: MBO-College (vocational education including Monteur and Technicus telecommunicatie infra programs), Hogeschool Dirksen (NVAO-accredited HBO programs including Associate Degree and Bachelor in Technical Informatics), and a broad portfolio of short training courses and self-study programs. The company provides an online learning environment (Dirksen Online) for distance learning, with monthly Dirksen Examens held at their training centers in Maarssen, Tilburg, and Elst. Programs cover electrical engineering, industrial automation, telecommunications, network technology, programming, and energy transition, with certifications including Cisco CCNA, CKB, and CBT.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MBO-College Programs (Dirksen MBO-College) Recognized MBO-level vocational diplomas in telecommunications infrastructure (copper, fiber) and electrical installation, offered primarily in BBL/work-based learning format over 2–4 years, with annual tuition of €6,850–€6,900 and final Proeve van Bekwaamheid exam (€425) leading to official CREBO-registered diplomas.
• HBO Programs (Hogeschool Dirksen) NVAO-accredited Associate Degree and Bachelor in Technical Informatics with specialization tracks in Industriële automatisering (Industrial Automation) and ICT-Telecom, with tuition of €7,500 per 12-month period and term payment options, leading to official HBO diplomas.
• Short Training Courses and Self-Study Programs 250+ classroom trainings (1–3 day formats from €415 to €1,195) and self-study courses with online guidance (€545–€1,080, 2–5 month duration) covering TCP/IP and Ethernet, Netwerk Security Technologie, Microcontrollers, Programmeren in C/C++/C#, Meettechniek, Real-Time Embedded Operating Systems, and other technical ICT subjects, with materials, lunches, and DirksenOnline access included.
• Cisco Networking Academy (CCNA Certification Program) Official Cisco-authorized CCNA and related networking certification preparation courses delivered as part of the broader networking curriculum, with exam fees included in course pricing and external certification exams scheduled at Pearson VUE Test Centers.
• Dirksen Examens (Examination Services) Standalone monthly examination services administered at the Elst training center, priced at €160 for most exams and €240 for extended exams (e.g., Regeltechniek 3 hours), with same-day results for most subjects and certificate reissue available for €10 per declaration. CBT-supervised telecom certifications and recertifications are also conducted.
• Custom Corporate Training (Maatwerk) Tailored training programs (maatwerk) developed and delivered for corporate clients to address specific workforce skill gaps, technological change, or growth needs — e.g., NEN 3140 VP-compliant EV charging station installation training for Baas B.V. monteurs and global customer-service optimization training for Priva.
• CKB-Erkende Opleidingen (Copper and Fiber Optic Training) CKB-recognized copper and fiber optic infrastructure training programs qualifying technicians for CKB-related installation and contractor functions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Same-day examination results for most exams
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ABC Opleiding & TrainingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorABC Opleiding & Training represents Dirksen on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao for self-study courses. Students can enroll through ABC Opleiding & Training for Dirksen courses offered outside the Netherlands. This partnership does not extend to MBO and HBO programs.
• Cisco Systems (Cisco Networking Academy)coreTechnology or IntegrationDirksen is an official Cisco Networking Academy, authorized to deliver Cisco certification programs including CCNA. Exams for Cisco certifications are administered at authorized Pearson VUE Test Centers.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal Cisco (CCNA) exams are administered at authorized Pearson VUE Test Centers. Exam fees are included in course pricing.
• VakwijscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Dirksen and Vakwijs for the Monteur elektrotechnische installaties (mbo-2) program. The one-year program prepares students for official MBO level 2 diploma through the third learning pathway (derde leerweg).
• Stichting CKBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCKB (Stichting Certificatieregeling Kabelinfrastructuur en Buizenlegbedrijven) is the certification body that recognizes Dirksen's copper and fiber optic training courses, ensuring they meet quality standards for CKB-related functions.
• Certification Board Telecom (CBT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBT is an independent committee that ensures quality, objectivity, integrity, and independence of telecom exams. Dirksen conducts certifications and recertifications under CBT supervision.
• NRTO (Nederlandse Raad voor Training en Opleiding)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirksen is an active member of NRTO, the industry association for private education and training providers in the Netherlands. Members conform to the Algemene Beginselen van Behoorlijk Onderwijs through the NRTO Gedragscode.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Springest: Dutch training comparison/marketplace platform that aggregates professional training offerings. Adjacent competitor as it channels prospective learners toward alternative training providers.

Direct peers

• LOI (Leidse Onderwijs Instellingen): Major Dutch distance-learning provider offering MBO, HBO, and short courses including technical/IT programs. Comparable as an accredited Dutch private education provider with similar self-study + online guidance model.
• Vijfhart Trainingen: Dutch IT training specialist offering IT, networking, programming, and database courses. Closely comparable to Dirksen's core computer/networking and programming curriculum for both individuals and corporate clients.
• NCOI Opleidingen: Largest Dutch private training provider offering MBO, HBO, and professional programs including technical/IT tracks. Directly comparable as a Dutch private education group serving working professionals with accredited vocational and higher education programs.
• Computrain: Dutch IT training provider (part of NCOI Groep) offering Microsoft, Cisco, AWS, and other vendor-aligned technical certifications. Direct competitor in the Dutch IT certification training market.
• Avans+: Dutch professional education provider offering post-HBO courses, short programs, and corporate training including technical tracks. Comparable in serving working professionals with accredited programs.
• Capabel Hogeschool: Dutch private higher education institution offering HBO programs in technical and business fields. Comparable as an NVAO-accredited Dutch private hogeschool serving similar professional/student segments.

Broad incumbents

• Global Knowledge: Internationally operating IT training company offering vendor-authorized courses (Cisco, AWS, Microsoft) in multiple geographies including Benelux. Comparable as a corporate-focused IT certification training provider at a larger scale.
• ROC (regional training centres): Public Dutch vocational education institutions (ROCs) offering MBO-level programs. Compete for the same MBO student pool and corporate training contracts, but with government-funded scale advantages.

Others

• UWV / scholings vouchers (STAP): Dutch government employment and training subsidy scheme (STAP budget). Functions as a funding channel that directly subsidizes enrollment in Dirksen's courses through Dutch taxpayer-funded schemes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/dirksen-opleidingen

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Dirksen Opleidingen