Utrecht Leert

What Utrecht Leert does

Utrecht Leert is a non-profit collaborative initiative, founded in 2023 and headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, that coordinates regional programs to address teacher shortages and support professional development across the Utrecht education ecosystem. It is structured as a coalition of cooperating school boards spanning primary (PO), secondary (VO), and vocational (MBO) education — including SPO Utrecht, PCOU Willibrord, KSU, MBO Utrecht, and ROC Midden Nederland — together with teacher training institutions (Hogeschool Utrecht, Marnix Academie) and the municipality of Utrecht. The organization operates across Utrecht Stad, Amersfoort, and the Ring Utrecht region, serving educators, school leaders, school trainers, career changers (zij-instromers), HR professionals, and specialized education staff.

Its core offerings are organized around the Utrecht Leert Academie and the ULVO (Utrecht Leert Vernieuwend Opleiden) program running 2023–2026. The product portfolio includes orientation programs for career changers, co-teaching training (basic and advanced), Vreedzame School training, school leadership development (LAS I, Leerlandschap Startende Schoolleiders), a post-hbo Internal Supervisor to Quality Coordinator pathway with Academica, the Pedagogisch Verbinder BBL-traject, and the Tijd voor kwaliteit funding project. Additional ecosystem support includes priority housing partnerships with Mitros and Ad Hoc. The PLG (Professional Learning Community) conducts annual research on teacher retention.

Utrecht Leert's business model is subsidy-driven rather than fee-driven. Most training programs are 80% subsidized by Utrecht Leert (via municipal and Onderwijsregio Utrecht Stad funding) with the remaining 20% co-funded by participants or their school boards, though programs such as Training Vreedzaam Starters are not financed by Utrecht Leert and require full participant payment. Go-to-market relies on partner school networks, the Utrecht Leert agenda of events, open-andere-deuren-dagen, quarterly newsletters, and YouTube/video content, with no proprietary technology platform — only standard integrations with Google Analytics and Microsoft Forms for registration.

Name

Utrecht Leert

Legal name

Utrecht Leert

Website

https://utrechtleert.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Utrecht Leert is a Utrecht-based non-profit coalition of school boards, teacher training institutions, and the municipality that coordinates subsidized training, career-change pathways, and professional development programs to address teacher shortages across the Utrecht region's PO, VO, MBO, and HBO education sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Professional Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Teacher Professional Development & In-Service Training Institutes (EDAHAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Teacher Training, Professional Development & Education Leadership (BPADAKAC), Professional Development / CPD Requirement Administration for Licensure (EDADAJAL)

Keywords

• Teacher professional development
• Education workforce initiatives
• School leadership training
• Lateral entry teaching programs
• Regional education collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subsidy-funded training programs: Utrecht Leert is an initiative of collaborating Utrecht school boards, teacher training institutions, and the municipality. The majority of training programs are funded through municipal and government subsidies, with costs shared between Utrecht Leert and participant schools/individuals (typically 80% subsidized, 20% co-funded). Utrecht Leert also receives funding through the Onderwijsregio Utrecht Stad structure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Utrecht Leert coordinates and delivers subsidized professional development and training programs for education professionals in the Utrecht region, addressing teacher shortages through pathways for career changers (zij-instromers), school leadership development, co-teaching methodology, and cross-sector collaboration via the ULVO program (2023–2026). Programs are offered through the Utrecht Leert Academie and delivered in partnership with school boards, teacher training institutions, and the municipality, with most training costs 80% subsidized and 20% co-funded by participants or their schools.

Product overview

Utrecht Leert is a collaborative initiative by Utrecht school boards (primary, secondary, and vocational education), teacher training institutions, and the municipality. The core offering includes the Utrecht Leert Academie providing professional development for educators, and the ULVO (Utrecht Leert Vernieuwend Opleiden) program delivering innovative cross-sector training from 2023-2026. The portfolio comprises specific training modules including leadership programs (LAS I, Leerlandschap), teacher support programs (Co-teaching, Vreedzame School, Begeleiding zij-instromers), career pathways (Pedagogisch Verbinder, post-hbo Quality Coordinator), and orientation programs for career changers. Additional support includes the 'Tijd voor kwaliteit' funding project and Open-andere-deuren-dagen inspiration events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Utrecht Leert Vernieuwend Opleiden (ULVO): Program focused on innovative training and professionalization, breaking down barriers between educational sectors (PO, VO, MBO, HBO, WO) and connecting school with the broader social domain.

Products and services

• Utrecht Leert Academie An academy offering professional development programs and training for educators, including courses for new teachers, school leaders, and support staff in the Utrecht region. It serves education professionals across PO, VO, and MBO sectors.
• Utrecht Leert Vernieuwend Opleiden (ULVO) An innovative training and professionalization program (2023–2026) that develops cross-sector and cross-domain routes to enrich the current training infrastructure and address labor market shortages in education. Breaks down barriers between educational sectors (PO, VO, MBO, HBO, WO) and connects school with the broader social domain.
• Post-hbo opleiding: Van Intern Begeleider naar Kwaliteitscoördinator A 12-day post-hbo program (September 2026 - June 2027) developed with Academica University of Applied Sciences to train internal supervisors to become quality coordinators, focusing on educational quality, data analysis, and school development. Certificate suitable for LBBO quality register. 80% subsidized.
• Opleiding Schoolleider Basisbekwaam (LAS I) A 15-day training program (September 2026 - June 2027) in partnership with Thomas More Leiderschapsacademie that prepares aspiring, beginning, or experienced managers in primary education for school leadership at a basic competent level. 80% financed by Utrecht Leert. Maximum 20 participants per cohort.
• Basistraining Co-teaching A training program for school supervisors and experienced teachers to support starting teachers and career changers through collaborative co-teaching methods in primary education. Delivered by certified trainer Annemarijn van der Woude.
• Verdiepingstraining Co-teaching An advanced training building on the basic co-teaching training, for school supervisors and experienced teachers who have completed the basic training, focusing on deepening and expanding co-teaching skills.
• Training Vreedzaam Starters A 3-session training program for new starting teachers about the backgrounds, methods, and goals of the democratic citizenship program 'De Vreedzame School'. Limited to approximately 15 participants per training round. Not financed by Utrecht Leert; participants pay full amount.
• Oriëntatiedag zij-instroom primair onderwijs Utrecht Stad An orientation program for career changers wanting to become teachers in primary education in Utrecht city, consisting of orientation days at Hogeschool Utrecht and Marnix Academie to discover if education truly fits them.
• Pedagogisch Verbinder A two-year BBL trajectory combining work in education (as teaching assistant) with childcare (as pedagogical worker), with paid training at MBO Utrecht level 4 leading to a Gespecialiseerd Pedagogisch Medewerker diploma.
• Training voor begeleiding van zij-instromers Training for school supervisors on effective support for career changers entering education, covering trajectories, roles, and responsibilities within 'training in school'. Financed by Utrecht Leert. Certificate awarded by HU, Marnix Academie, and Utrecht Leert upon completion.
• Leerlandschap Startende Schoolleiders A municipal learning route for starting school leaders in Utrecht city, offering guidance, network building, and immediately applicable knowledge for their first years as school leaders. Announced in May 2026.
• Leergang: Van Intern Begeleider naar Kwaliteitscoördinator A five-day pre-master program (November 2026 - April 2027) as a follow-up to the Post-hbo IB-KC, providing insight into the changing role from internal supervisor to quality coordinator with emphasis on leadership and change management. 80% subsidized.
• Tijd voor kwaliteit A project providing financial support for extra hours to enable more intensive and better support for starters, career changers, and more experienced teachers within schools. Allows up to 100 schools to apply for financial support for extra coaching hours.
• Open-andere-deuren-dagen Open house events where schools in Utrecht share their innovative approaches to 'learning and organizing differently', allowing education professionals to visit and get inspired. Multiple dates planned per school year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ithaka ISK grew from 280 to nearly 1,000 students within one year, demonstrating urgent demand for teacher recruitment programs.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SPO Utrecht (Stichting Primair Onderwijs Utrecht)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore founding school board partner of Utrecht Leert. SPO Utrecht represents primary education schools in Utrecht and contributes school leaders and staff to ULVO programs. Ronald Goosen represents SPO in the Leerlandschap Startende Schoolleiders initiative.
• PCOU WillibrordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor school board partner operating 30 primary schools and 13 secondary schools in the region. Contributes school leaders (including Gosien Schouten as schoolopleider) and participates in ULVO programs. Represented in the Leerlandschap initiative.
• KSU (Katholieke Scholenstichting Utrecht)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic school foundation partner of Utrecht Leert. Participates in cross-sector ULVO programs and contributes to the Leerlandschap Startende Schoolleiders. Vera Ruitenberg represents KSU in leadership development initiatives.
• Hogeschool Utrecht (HU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences and teacher training institution. Co-delivers Begeleiding Zij-instromers training, 'Coach voor starters' sessions, and the IB-KC post-hbo opleiding. Also contributes to the ULVO program and houses the lectoraat Participatie & Stedelijke Ontwikkeling.
• Marnix Academie UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeacher training institution for primary education. Co-delivers Begeleiding van Zij-instromers training and hosts training sessions at its Newtonlaan campus. Provides trainers for co-teaching and schoolopleider programs.
• MBO UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional MBO institution serving as both a partner school network and a training provider. Hosts the Pedagogisch Verbinder BBL-traject. Multiple campuses across Utrecht (Sporthal Zuilen, Onderwijsboulevard, etc.) listed as partner locations.
• ROC Midden NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor MBO institution with approximately 1,750 staff serving about 18,000 students across Amersfoort, Nieuwegein, and Utrecht. Bart Grotenhuis represents a success story as a lateral entrant teaching anatomy and math. Contributes to the ULVO program and houses diverse college programs.
• Gemeente Utrecht (Municipality of Utrecht)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding partner of Utrecht Leert. Provides municipal funding, policy support, and facilitates housing priority programs (social and mid-rental housing) for education professionals. Supports English Teacher Track development.
• Thomas More LeiderschapsacademiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivers the LAS I (Leidinggeven aan Schoolontwikkeling I) school leader training program in partnership with Utrecht Leert. The in-company opleiding is provided by this academy for aspiring and beginning school leaders.
• Academica University of Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner delivering the post-hbo opleiding Van Intern Begeleider naar Kwaliteitscoördinator. Also offers a pre-master pathway and recommends master programs for further professionalization. 12-day program with 5 modules.
• Transvita / Onderwijsregio Midden-NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the Zij-instromer Primair Onderwijs program, co-funding orientation training together with Utrecht Leert. Also active in the Onderwijsregio Utrecht Stad structure.
• NUOVO Scholen (Ithaka ISK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool board hosting Ithaka ISK, a newcomer school serving all secondary schools in Utrecht and surrounding municipalities. Facing acute teacher shortage with student enrollment growing from 280 to nearly 1,000 in one year.
• HKU Utrechts ConservatoriumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht participates in the ULVO program through Christian Boel (studieleider Docent Muziek), representing the three art teacher training programs (music, theater, visual arts).
• Universiteit Utrecht (UU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Utrecht contributes to ULVO program and hosts teacher training information events (Master's Open Day, GST voorlichting). Part of the cross-sector ULVO team.
• Social Domain Partners (Sociale Partners)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners from the social and youth domain (welzijn, sport, jeugdzorg) participate in ULVO: DOCK, JOU Utrecht, SportUtrecht, Kind&co Ludens. These partners connect the education sector with broader youth support services.
• Annemarijn van der WoudeminorOthersCertified Coach Practitioner and trainer who delivers co-teaching training programs (basistraining and verdiepingstraining) for Utrecht Leert. Specializes in coaching, observation, and co-teaching methodology.
• Ad Hoc (Housing Provider)minorOthersAd Hoc provides temporary rental apartments near Utrecht Centraal for education, healthcare, and police professionals. Monthly rent €900–€1,100. Partnership facilitates housing access for teachers.
• Mitros (Housing Corporation)minorOthersHousing corporation delivering the 'De Generaal' project with 80 new homes on the Defensieterrein, with priority allocation for vital professions including education staff. Collaboration with Gemeente Utrecht.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/utrechtleert

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Utrecht Leert