Ambachtsonderwijs

Ambachtsonderwijs is a form of secondary education focused on practical crafts and trades, offering training in workshops and classroom learning, with an emphasis on manual skills, technical knowledge, and design. It is used in the Netherlands and Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium to prepare students for skilled work in craft-based industries.

Historically, ambachtsonderwijs developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to supply skilled labor for growing industry. It operated separate craft schools that taught disciplines such as woodworking, metalworking, textiles, baking, printing, painting, and other crafts, balancing hands-on practice with theoretical subjects like mathematics, physics, and drawing.

In many education systems, ambachtsonderwijs formed part of broader vocational tracks, combining general education with practical training. Students could progress to higher vocational education, apprenticeships, or direct entry into skilled trades. Certification typically included diplomas or certificates indicating competence in specific crafts.

Today, the term is less commonly used as a standalone label, having largely evolved into broader vocational or technical education within systems that emphasize employability and pathways to further study. Modern programs retain the craft-oriented focus and often incorporate new technologies, design thinking, digital fabrication, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, while maintaining the emphasis on practical skills and project-based learning.