What Aeres Mbo Dronten does

Aeres MBO Dronten is a Dutch vocational education institution (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO) operating as part of the broader Aeres educational group and specializing exclusively in the green sector — agriculture, horticulture, animal care, equine studies, food, nature, and green technology. The institution delivers programs at MBO levels 1 through 4 across 12 interest areas (Akkerbouw en teelt, Biologisch, Bloem en styling, Dier en welzijn, Loonwerk, Natuur en klimaat, Paard, Techniek, Tuin en landschap, Veehouderij, Verkoop en logistiek, and Voeding) and offers three learning pathways: BOL (full-time school-based with internships), BBL (work-integrated with employer contract), and Sprint (accelerated two-year tracks for HAVO/MBO-4 graduates). It operates 11 campuses across the Netherlands, including the specialized Warmonderhof biodynamic agriculture site in Dronten, and targets primarily VMBO graduates along with HAVO students, parents, and secondary-school career counselors as decision influencers.

The institution's revenue model is dominated by Dutch government funding channeled through DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs), supplemented by government-set tuition fees for BOL students and reduced course fees for BBL students, plus an annual parental school contribution of approximately €400–€750 per student covering materials and program-specific items. Practical training (BPV) is delivered through SBB-recognized training companies (erkende leerbedrijven), with SBB providing subsidies up to €2,700 per year for employers hosting BBL trainees. The core technology stack is a Microsoft 365 environment (Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint) with two-factor authentication, supplemented by a Mijn Aeres student portal and an online Interessetest interest quiz used in recruitment.

Go-to-market is event-driven and direct-to-consumer: prospective students are reached through school presentations, career counselor (decaan) networks, open days (November–March), shadow days (meeloopdagen), and the national CAMBO online enrollment system, with parents and career counselors acting as key influencers. Enrollment is national via CAMBO. The institution also runs an international Sprint program in partnership with Warwickshire College (England) for paraveterinary training, and integrates vertically with Aeres Hogeschool for HBO progression pathways.

Name

Aeres Mbo Dronten

Legal name

Aeres MBO

Website

https://aeresmbo.nl

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Aeres MBO Dronten is a Dutch vocational education institution providing green-sector MBO programs across 11 campuses, serving VMBO and HAVO graduates through BOL, BBL, and accelerated Sprint pathways primarily funded by the Dutch government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Crop, Soil & Agronomy Technician Training (EDAOAOAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Agricultural training
• Green sector education
• Animal husbandry courses
• Food technology education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dronten

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Education: The Dutch government funds the majority of educational costs. The institution receives public funding to provide vocational education.
2. Student Tuition Fees (Lesgeld): BOL (full-time) students pay tuition fees set annually by the Dutch government. Students under 18 are exempt. BBL (part-time) students pay a reduced course fee (cursusgeld).
3. School Contribution Fees: Parents and students pay a school contribution of approximately €400 to €750 per study year to cover materials, voluntary contributions, and additional services not funded by the government.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aeres Mbo Dronten delivers Dutch secondary vocational education (MBO) programs focused on the green and agrifood sector, organized across 12 interest areas including agriculture, animal care, food, environment, and technology. Training is offered through two primary learning pathways — BOL (Beroeps Opleidende Leerweg, school-based) and BBL (Beroeps Begeleidende Leerweg, work-based apprenticeship) — supplemented by Sprint accelerated tracks and an online Mijn Aeres portal for student administration.

Product overview

Aeres MBO Dronten is a Dutch vocational education institution (mbo) offering green/agricultural education programs across 11 locations in the Netherlands. The institution provides a comprehensive portfolio of 12 vocational program categories (Akkerbouw en teelt, Biologisch, Bloem en styling, Dier en welzijn, Loonwerk, Natuur en klimaat, Paard, Techniek, Tuin en landschap, Veehouderij, Verkoop en logistiek, and Voeding) at mbo levels 1-4. Students can choose from three learning pathways: BOL (full-time with internships), BBL (work-integrated learning), and Sprint (accelerated 2-year programs). The institution also operates a student portal (Mijn Aeres) providing access to academic and administrative services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Warmonderhof: Biodynamic agriculture education center located in Dronten, specializing in biological-dynamic farming practices.

Products and services

• MBO Vocational Programs (12 Interest Areas) Dutch MBO vocational qualifications organized into 12 thematic interest areas (green, animal, food, environment, technology, etc.) for prospective students who have completed VMBO or equivalent secondary education. Programs run full-time and part-time and prepare graduates for entry-level green-sector employment or further study.
• BOL — Beroeps Opleidende Leerweg (School-Based Pathway) School-based MBO learning pathway in which the majority of training is delivered at the Dronten campus with practical internships integrated into the schedule. Designed for students who want a structured, campus-anchored learning experience.
• BBL — Beroeps Begeleidende Leerweg (Work-Based Pathway) Work-based MBO learning pathway in which the student is employed by a green-sector employer (typically a farm, agribusiness, or related company) for 3–4 days per week and attends school for 1–2 days. Suited to students who want to earn while learning in a real working environment.
• Sprint Accelerated Pathway Accelerated MBO study track designed for students who are able to complete their vocational qualification at a faster pace than the standard program schedule.
• Mijn Aeres Student Portal Online student information portal giving enrolled Aeres Mbo Dronten students access to their personal schedule, grades, study-progress information, and related administrative resources.
• Online Interesse Test (Interest Test) Online interest-matching questionnaire that helps prospective students identify which of the 12 MBO interest areas (green, animal, food, environment, technology, etc.) best fits their preferences before committing to a program.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SBB (Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs Bedrijfsleven)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBB is the Dutch organization that connects vocational education with businesses. Aeres MBO works with SBB to ensure BBL students have proper work contracts with recognized training companies (erkende leerbedrijven). SBB also provides subsidies up to €2,700 per year for employers who train BBL students.
• DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)coreOthersGovernment organization that handles student financing, tuition fees, and OV-cards for MBO students. Aeres MBO students interact with DUO for study financing applications and tuition fee payments.
• Erkende Leerbedrijven (Recognized Training Companies)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBusinesses recognized by SBB that provide practical training (BPV/Beroepspraktijkvorming) for MBO students. These companies offer internship opportunities for BOL students and employment contracts for BBL students.
• Warwickshire College (England)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for the Paraveterinair dierenartsassistent internationaal Sprint program, where students study partially in the Netherlands and partially in England, receiving a European-recognized diploma.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Wellantcollege: Major Dutch MBO institution focused on food, agriculture, horticulture, and green sector education. Directly competes with Aeres MBO in the same green vocational education space with similar program offerings, learning pathways, and erkende leerbedrijven partnerships.
• Clusius College: Dutch green MBO institution offering vocational programs in agriculture, horticulture, animal care, food technology, and green sectors. Direct competitor to Aeres MBO with similar program portfolio, government funding model, and BOL/BBL learning pathways in the Northern Netherlands.
• Terra (MBO): Dutch MBO institution offering vocational education in agriculture, food, horticulture, animal care, and green sectors. Direct peer in the green MBO space with comparable program structure and government funding model.
• Lentiz: Dutch green-focused MBO and secondary education institution providing vocational programs in agriculture, horticulture, food, and nature. Direct competitor with overlapping program offerings, particularly in the Western Netherlands regions.
• Nordwin College: Regional Dutch MBO institution in Friesland and Flevoland offering agriculture, animal care, and green-sector vocational programs. Direct competitor in overlapping regional markets with Aeres MBO locations including Emmeloord, Heerenveen, and Leeuwarden.
• Helicon MBO: Dutch green MBO institution offering vocational education in agriculture, animal care, horticulture, food, and equestrian studies. Directly comparable to Aeres MBO with similar green-sector specialization and erkende leerbedrijven network.
• Yuverta: One of the largest Dutch green-sector MBO institutions formed through mergers of multiple agricultural colleges. Offers overlapping vocational programs in agriculture, horticulture, animal care, food, and nature, directly competing with Aeres MBO for students, employer partnerships, and government funding across the Netherlands.

Broad incumbents

• HAS Green Academy: Dutch university of applied sciences focused on agriculture, food, and environment. While focused on HBO rather than MBO, it competes for the same student interest in green-sector education and serves as an alternative pathway to green careers, particularly for HAVO graduates choosing between Aeres MBO Sprint and HAS HBO programs.

Others

• Aeres Hogeschool: Sister institution within the same Aeres educational group offering higher professional education (HBO) in agriculture and related fields. While not a direct competitor, it represents the natural progression pathway for Aeres MBO graduates and is a key internal stakeholder.
• Warmonderhof (as sister brand): Biodynamic agriculture education center that is part of Aeres MBO itself rather than an external peer. Mentioned to clarify that Warmonderhof is an Aeres MBO sub-brand, not an independent peer — this avoids double-counting within the peer set.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSkJ8eT-vH0bW-oC
• Facebookfacebook.com/AeresMBO
• Instagraminstagram.com/aeres_mbo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeresmbo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Aeres Mbo Dronten