Rotterdam Academy (Regional Associate College)
14th December 2015
Tag list
Location / Country / Region
The Netherlands
Time frame
Started in 2012.
Description
Cooperation between VET providers and Higher Education Institutions is very important for youngsters willing to have a degree (and diploma) at a higher level. Drop-out rates in the four year bachelor programme are getting higher and higher, meaning that the percentage of VET students having a Bachelors’ degree after 5 years has dropped in the last 15 years from 65 to 47 percent. One of the solutions will be more close cooperation between the providers in both sectors. That’s why a few years ago the discussion has started for having a kind of ‘community colleges’ in The Netherlands, using SCHE programmes for that. The University of Applied Sciences in Rotterdam has been the first one to set up such a Regional Associate College. Starting in 2012 with 70 students, there are now more than 2000 of VET students in this ‘Rotterdam Academy’ which is a big success.
Actors Involved
The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Leido Academy
Target audiences
Students, providers, regional labour market
Impact
The RAC is a good example of developing Community Colleges in a ‘European Style’. The permeability between VET and HE will improve, giving youngster more opportunities to get a higher degree. A RAC is also a place for regional business, to have a good cooperation with institutions.