MBO Internship
Why We're Working with the City of Amsterdam to Develop the Ultimate MBO Trainee Program
The question
How can we connect vocational education talent to social impact?
Society is changing at breakneck speed. Organizations and governments are grappling with the question of how to not only train young talent in their respective fields, but also mold them into adaptable, socially engaged professionals who dare to think critically and take responsibility.
The solution
A 22-month leadership program for vocational education professionals.
We develop and facilitate customized programs, traineeships, and leadership development tracks that bring together theory, reflection, and practice. By guiding talented individuals in their personal and professional development, we help organizations build a generation that is ready to bring about real change.
Why We're Working with the City of Amsterdam to Develop the Ultimate MBO Trainee Program
A 22-month professional and personal growth sprint. That’s what awaits MBO talents during the MBO traineeship at the City of Amsterdam. At De Bildung Academie, we believe that major societal challenges call for agile, mindful, and socially engaged individuals. The world is changing rapidly, and that calls for leadership at every level of society. That’s why we provide the guidance and training for this program, in which personal growth, social impact, and professional skills come together seamlessly.
"Real change doesn't come from theory alone, but when talented people are given the space to discover who they are and what role they want to play in society."
What does it mean?
traineeship in?
During the MBO traineeship, trainees combine work and learning at the highest level. Over the course of 22 months, they gain valuable hands-on experience at three different workplaces within the municipal organization. Alongside their daily work, they participate in intensive training sessions and workshops that are entirely focused on their personal leadership and professional skills. In this way, they build their own future while making an immediate, visible impact on the city of Amsterdam.
Our role behind the scenes
We don’t just throw trainees in at the deep end. The program begins with a comprehensive introductory month, during which we work intensively to build a close-knit, safe learning environment for the entire cohort. Throughout the entire program, a dedicated trainee mentor is available to provide coaching, in-depth guidance on the subject matter, and personal support.
Together with their mentor, trainees explore which assignments best align with their specific talents, values, and ambitions—whether that’s within the areas of IT & Technology, Project Support & Administration, or Procurement & Contract Management.
Making an Impact Together
in the city
In addition to their individual work assignments, trainees collaborate on challenging team projects and tackle current social issues. Every day, we see how much energy and innovation are generated when education, government, and the professional world come together. Trainees learn how to make a real difference—not only as individuals but especially as a group—within a large organization and in the city.
"From IT to contract management: we help talented individuals discover where their strengths lie and how they can make a difference."
Personal and non-committal
Are you working on similar issues?
You may recognize this situation: you see that transitions (between educational levels) are problematic. You want to collaborate, but lack a network or a point of entry. You’re developing initiatives, but are looking to deepen your work or scale it up. If so, we’d love to hear from you.
Bridging Pathways is a collaboration between educational and professional partners in the Netherlands and Poland, including our organization, the Bildung Academie (lead partner), L’Oiseau Bleu, Mytylschool De Brug, Medyck Otwock, and the Zamenhof Foundation. The project is co-funded by the European Union.
