ROTTERDAM, 3 October 2026 – Rotterdam's two major vocational education providers, Albeda and Zadkine, intend to merge into a single institution serving Rotterdam and the wider Rijnmond region. The new organisation could start as early as the 2028-2029 academic year, although several decisions and preparatory steps still need to be completed first.
Two colleges want to join forces
Albeda and Zadkine have announced their intention to merge after exploring different forms of cooperation. Both institutions provide Dutch vocational education, known as middelbaar beroepsonderwijs or mbo, across Rotterdam and the surrounding region.
According to the two colleges, combining their organisations would make it easier to respond to changes in the labour market and the growing demand for skilled workers. They also want to create more room for tailored education, innovation and closer cooperation with employers.
The proposed merger would bring the programmes, expertise and experience of both institutions together within one large vocational education organisation for Rotterdam-Rijnmond.
No immediate changes for students
Students, staff members, employers and other partners will not see immediate changes as a result of the announcement. Albeda and Zadkine say the coming period will be used to work out what the combined institution could look like.
The merger is therefore still a proposal rather than a completed decision. Several formal steps and approvals will be required before the two organisations can actually become one.
The earliest possible starting point for the new institution is the 2028-2029 academic year.
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Why Albeda and Zadkine want to merge
Both colleges say vocational education is facing increasingly complex challenges as the labour market changes and employers seek more qualified professionals.
By joining forces, Albeda and Zadkine aim to create a larger organisation with stronger links to companies and other organisations in the region. Their stated goal is to give students more opportunities while maintaining room for different educational routes and individual needs.
The institutions also argue that some ambitions will be easier to achieve together than separately, particularly when it comes to innovation and responding to regional labour-market needs.
What this means if you study in Rotterdam
If you are currently studying at Albeda or Zadkine, nothing changes immediately. Existing courses and education continue while the merger plans are developed.
That also applies if you are considering vocational education in Rotterdam in the near future. The proposed new organisation would not begin before 2028-2029, and further details about its name, structure, locations and study programmes have not yet been announced.
For international residents who are less familiar with the Dutch education system, mbo refers to vocational education focused on preparing students for specific professions and further study. Albeda and Zadkine are among the main providers of this type of education in the Rotterdam region.
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Merger plans will be developed further
The next phase will focus on designing the future institution and completing the decisions needed to make the merger possible.
Albeda and Zadkine have not yet announced what the combined organisation would be called or whether the merger could eventually affect individual campuses, courses or internal structures.
More information is expected as the process develops.
The institutions have also published a video explaining their plans:
https://youtu.be/H5A2w_k9LAE
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