Are you working in the metal and electrical engineering industry in the Netherlands? Then you may be eligible for a €1,500 voucher that you can spend on your personal development, including learning Dutch.

A+O Metalektro is a Dutch sector fund that supports companies and workers in the metal and electrical engineering industry, including companies such as ASML, Philips, DAF Trucks, VDL Groep, and around 1,700 others.

A+O Metalektro offers so-called personal development vouchers (“ontwikkelvouchers”). These vouchers provide up to €1,500 (excluding VAT) to invest in your personal and professional development—including NT2 Dutch language courses.

In the past 2–3 months, we have already welcomed several students to our Summer Schools and Winter Schools who used this voucher to pay for their intensive Dutch courses.

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What is the OVWN voucher?

The Ontwikkelvoucher Werknemer (OVWN) is a sector-wide subsidy from A+O Metalektro that allows employees to choose their own training or education.

You can use it for:

• Technical training or upskilling
• Career development courses
• Coaching or personal development
• Dutch language training (NT2 courses)

The budget:

• Up to €1,500 per employee (excluding VAT)
• Flexible use for one or more training activities (depending on rules and budget availability)

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Who can apply?

You are eligible if:

• You work for a company covered by the Metalektro collective labour agreement (CAO)
• Your employer is affiliated with the A+O Metalektro fund
• You are employed in the sector (including many temporary agency workers working at Metalektro companies)
• You want to develop your skills for work or career progression

Applications are usually handled via a loopbaancoach (career coach), often arranged through unions or employer support channels. You do not necessarily need to be a union member to have your application processed by them.

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Important: limited availability and timing

This is a limited-budget scheme, and demand is high.

Key conditions include:

• The programme runs until 31 December 2026 (or until the budget is exhausted)
• Applications are only possible while funds are available
• The voucher system works on a first-come, first-served basis
• Once the budget is used up, the scheme closes

This means timing is crucial—waiting too long may result in missing out entirely.

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How to apply?

Would you like to use the voucher to join our Summer School or Winter School?

Step 1: Check if you meet the conditions (your labour agreement refers to the Metalektro CAO)
Step 2: Read more about the subsidy here:
https://www.ao-metalektro.nl/aanbod/ontwikkelvoucher-werknemer-ovwn/
Step 3: Contact one of the listed unions (most of our students use FNV). Please note: you do not need to be a member of the union.
Step 4: Sign up for our Summer or Winter School and indicate:

• that you require an invoice prior to payment
• the billing address: the name of the union as the organisation + your personal address
• sign up link: https://bartdepau.com/d-1f/

Step 5: We will send you the invoice, which you can submit to the union.
Step 6: The union will process the payment within 4–6 weeks.
Step 7: We’ll be ready to welcome you!