The Practical Learning Subsidy: a reimbursement for your training placement

The Practical Learning Subsidy reimburses employers for a portion of the supervision costs of work-study placements for MBO (BBL), HBO (dual/part-time), and VMBO. Maximum: €2,700 per training place per academic year for MBO-BBL, €2,700 for HBO technology/agriculture, €1,000 for other HBO. Applications must be submitted to RVO after the end of the academic year (June–September), using a simple form based on supervision hours. Indispensable for employers training interns or students — amounting to tens of thousands of euros per year for those offering multiple work-study placements.

The short answer

• What: reimbursement for supervision costs of work-study placements.
• Amount: max €2,700 per training place per academic year (MBO-BBL, HBO-tech).
• For whom: employers with a recognized apprenticeship (SBB register).
• Applications: after the school year, via RVO, simple form.
• Deadline: September 16 after the end of the school year (September 15 in some years).

Who can apply?

Employers with a recognized apprenticeship. “Recognized” means:

• SBB accreditation for MBO (BBL students).
• For higher professional education: the higher professional education institution must approve the training company.
• For VMBO (LWT): registration via the school.
• For PhD candidates: university recognition.

SBB accreditation status can be applied for free via stagemarkt.nl — takes 2-4 weeks.

Subsidy amounts

• MBO-BBL: €2,700 max per apprenticeship per school year.
• HBO Engineering/Agriculture (dual/part-time): € 2,700 max.
• Other HBO (dual/part-time): €1,000 max.
• vmbo (LWT): € 2,700 max.
• PhD candidate: €2,700 max.

The amount is calculated pro rata based on the number of weeks of guidance hours in the school year (September 1 – August 31). Half-year apprenticeship: ~50% of the maximum.

Supervision hours

The employer must demonstrate that the supervisor has spent sufficient hours on training:

• Minimum 40 weeks of tutoring in the school year for the full amount.
• Keep track of actual work supervision hours.
• Practical training agreement between employer, student, and educational institution.

RVO conducts sample checks — retain records for 7 years.

Application procedure

1. Have a recognized work-study placement: SBB accreditation or equivalent.
2. Internship Agreement: between employer, student and school — signed.
3. Completing the school year: September 1 – August 31.
4. Applications: after the end, before 16 September via the RVO eLoket.
5. Decision: within 13 weeks.
6. Payment: in October/November.

Combining with other schemes

• Wage Cost Advantage (LKV): additional wage reductions for specific target groups (younger/older employees, disability).
• Healthcare Internship Fund: supplementary in the healthcare sector.
• Sectoral funds: R&D funds sometimes provide additional reimbursements.

For BBL students with a BBL contract: wage is a low starting wage (determined by collective labor agreement) plus a subsidy. Practical learning makes it commercially attractive.

For whom is it worth it?

All employers with:

• BBL students in secondary vocational education (especially technology, healthcare, construction, and hospitality).
• HBO interns in engineering or agriculture (dual/part-time).
• PhD candidates from the university.
• LWT students in pre-vocational secondary education.

Not for: regular HBO interns without a dual/part-time track, regular full-time employees.

Example Karim's operating company

Karim's ICT operating company has:

• 2 BBL students MBO software development → 2 × € 2,700 = € 5,400.
• 1 HBO dual computer science student → €1,000 (not a technology cluster according to RVO).
• 1 LWT vmbo student → € 2,700.

Total: €9,100 per year. For medium-sized employers with multiple apprenticeship positions: tens of thousands of euros per year possible.

Pitfalls

• Non-recognized apprenticeship: no subsidy.
• Application submitted too late: no entitlement after September 16.
• Insufficient supervision hours: pro rata reduction.
• No practical training agreement: required for award.
• Incorrect education category: non-technical higher professional education receives €1,000, not €2,700.

Honest recommendation

For every employer with apprentices, work-study students, or dual-study HBO students: The Practical Learning Subsidy is simple money — a few hours of administration per year for hundreds to thousands of euros per training placement. Ensure you have SBB accreditation and a sound practical training agreement in advance. For multiple training placements: combine the application into a single form — more efficient. For HR departments: add the application to the quarterly calendar so as not to miss the September deadline.

For other topics: subsidies overview, WBSO and work-related costs scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions