Subsidy programme Praktijkleren Dutch Caribbean

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) is investigating whether the subsidy can also become available for employers on St. Eustatius and Saba. When more is known about this, you will read about it on this page.

Papiamentu/Español

Pa haña informashon e reglamentu di subsidio na Papiamentu, por fabor descargá e pdf aki bou.

Para obtener información sobre el subsidio en Español, descargue el pdf a continuación.

Timeline Praktijkleren subsidy

The timeline below gives you a global overview of the process as it applies on Bonaire.

• from 1 August 2025: Applicant downloads the required forms
• from August 2025 until July 2026: Applicant completes the forms together with student and ensures signature
• August and September 2026: Applicant completes the application form
• September 2026 RVO on Bonaire: Applicant submits application with attachments before 17 September 17:00, Kralendijk
• end of September 2026: RVO evaluates the applications and forms
• 1 November 2026 at the latest: RVO has the decisions ready
• 15 November 2026 at the latest: RVO pays out the subsidy

Conditions

As an employer, you may be eligible for the subsidy if you meet the following conditions:

• You are a recognised training company on Bonaire, offering an internship or apprenticeship.
• You supervise:
  • a mbo student in the practical part (vocational practice formation - bpv) who is enrolled at an educational institution on Bonaire and follows a course in the vocational training path (bbl);
  • a vo-pupil who follows practical education (praktijkonderwijs) and does an internship in the last school year;
  • a pupil following a basic vocational course in vmbo, set up as a learning-working path or entrance course.
• You meet the conditions for the practical apprenticeship.
• You meet the administrative conditions (shortly under Preparing your application).

Conditions for the apprenticeship

• Minimum number of hours
  The practical component at your company or organisation includes a minimum of 610 clock hours per school year. For practical education and vmbo there is a minimum requirement of 640 clock hours per school year. The school year runs from 1 August 1 to 31 July. For shorter practical periods, the minimum number of clock hours will be converted proportionally.
• Attendance of the pupil or student
  You only get subsidy for the weeks during which the vo-pupil or mbo student was present at your company. We calculate the subsidy per week. It does not matter how many hours or days the student or apprentice was present in that week, as long as the standard of hours for the apprenticeship was met during the subsidy period.
  For example, was a pupil or student absent for an entire week due to illness or leave? Then this week does not count.
• Practice agreement
  A practical training agreement is drawn up at the start of the work placement or apprenticeship. You will also need this for the subsidy application. Make sure it is fully completed and signed by all parties: student, educational institution, employer and ROA (Raad Onderwijs Arbeidsmarkt).
   

Preparing your application

Soon, you will find here step by step what you need to do to prepare your application properly. To obtain more information, you are invited to join the briefing organised by ROA on 22 May 2025 in Kralendijk.

You will apply for the subsidy at the end of a school or study year, after completing the apprenticeship supervision.  You can apply for subsidy from 1 September 2026, 9:00 to 17 September 2026, 17:00 in Kralendijk. The exact location and times to submit your application will follow.

After your application

No later than 1 November 2026, we will decide on your application. Is the decision positive? Then you will receive the amount in your bank account by mid-November 2026 at the latest.

Want to know more?

• Do you have any questions? If so, please send an email to praktijklerencn@rvo.nl.
• Staatscourant publication (in Dutch), 2 April 2025