Sharp drop in students at medical courses on secondary vocational education level

Fewer people are applying for nurses and caregivers courses at a secondary vocational education (MBO) level. The MBO Raad, which is the Netherlands Association of VET colleges, said that just 4,110 students applied to a caregivers course, which is almost 50 percent less than five years ago. The enrollment for a nursing course dropped by 14 percent to 7,260 students in the same timeframe. Adnan Tekin of the MBO Raad thinks that the trend is concerning.

“We are seeing that the shortages in the care sector are increasing, while the number of students applying for the courses is also on a downward trajectory. This requires action. Employers, schools, and the government need to work together to create better working conditions, attractive job prospects, and a sufficient amount of internship places,” said Tekin.

The MBO Raad has said that internships are a bottleneck and fears that the number of available internship spots will decrease further if the Cabinet continues with its plans to cut the Care Internship Fund. This fund gives subsidies to care institutions that provide internship spots.

“This budget cut has to be taken off the table. Good internship guidance and a sufficient number of places are crucial to keep students motivated and have them finish their course successfully,” said the chairman of the MBO Raad.

Bianca Buurman, the chairwoman of the Dutch Oncology Nursing Society (V&VN) thinks that these numbers are alarming. “If something doesn’t happen now, then our parents will not receive any care at home or in the nursing home.”

V&VN is also looking at politicians to provide the solution. The organization mentioned abolishing tuition fees, an “entry bonus,” guarantees for internships and jobs, or campaigns to increase interest in healthcare training as possible solutions. Cutting back on the internship fund is "incomprehensible to the professional organization given the current labor market.”

The courses themselves can also do something. V&VN said that the higher professional education (HBO) nursing course in Amsterdam is a successful example. This course was able to attract more students due to a successful social media campaign.

A change in mentality is also needed in society, said Buurman. She questioned whether people think it is more important that their online order is home the next day “or that your 85-year-old father who still lives at home is helped out of his bed tomorrow.”