Friesland College FC) is a Regional Training Centre for Vocational Upper Secondary education  (VET, EQF level 1-4)) and adult education. Every year about 9,000 students take a course: 7,500 follow a VET course which lasts 3 to 4 years, and 1,500 follow short-term courses which can last from a few days to 6 months to 1 year. FC has a staff of approx. 1200 (teachers and supporting staff).

FC is an open educational institution with respect for all religions and cultures in society. The college is involved with and listens to its students; has a passion for teaching and is innovative. Students can choose from a wide variety of courses, facilities and activities. These are provided throughout the province of Friesland (in the north of the Netherlands) at several locations, the largest two are in Leeuwarden and Heerenveen.

We aim to offer students practical learning experience in real life settings (workplace driven learning) and opportunities to develop professional skills and reflective powers, thus encouraging them to take the initiative and become effective learners. All students are stimulated to have an experience abroad, in Europe but also in developing countries such as Indonesia, where they train young people in their profession and teach them entrepreneurship so that they can start their own business.

The main idea behind our educational approach is that we want students to ‘act’ and ‘reflect’ on their activities and experiences. This, to our opinion, is the best basis for the next step. We encourage our students to explore and discover their own way of coming to a solution. This also means allowing room for mistakes and vulnerability to accept these mistakes – to ultimately grow and learn from them.

We aim to empower our students and stimulate them to take the lead. After all, they are the youngsters that will shape our future. We as professionals in this organisation (teachers, coaches and mentors) are there to make students learn, but mainly through a guiding and overseeing role, making sure that the students pursue the right direction, but allowing them to choose their own path to reach results.