Education · For employers
Ask for the qualification the role needs.
A requirement is clearest when it names the work, the level, the field and what else you will accept. Candidates may hold Aruban, Dutch, US or other qualifications; write for all of them.
Start with the work, not the diploma name
Decide what the person must be able to do on day one and what they can learn on the job. Describe that first; a qualification is one way to show it.
Name the level and the field
Say, for example, "an MBO level 4 or EPI level 4 diploma, or a comparable qualification, in hospitality". Level and field mean more than a title.
Say what is acceptable instead
Add "or a comparable qualification" and say what you will look at: the certificate, the transcript, relevant experience. This keeps strong candidates with a US, Latin American or other qualification in the room.
Be proportionate about evidence
Ask to see the certificate and transcript. For a regulated role, check the licensing body's own rules. Ask for an individual credential evaluation only where the decision depends on it.
Pair it with the skill level
A qualification says little about how independently someone works. State the skill level too, in plain words about what the person will do alone.
Sample wording
Illustrative wording to adapt, not a rule.
HAVO diploma required.
Excludes candidates whose qualification has a different name, and says nothing about the work.
Secondary diploma at HAVO level or comparable (for example a US high school diploma with a college-preparatory programme), or an EPI level 4 diploma. We read the certificate and transcript.
Names the level, accepts comparable routes and says how you will check.
Sources and how they were read
- Nuffic · Aruban diplomas compared with Dutch ones Read in full, with the primary, vocational and higher education pages. Compared 17 October 2026. Official source · Verified · next check due 15 April 2027 General comparisons, not decisions about one person.
- Nuffic · US diplomas compared with Dutch ones Read in full. Compared 17 October 2026. Official source · Verified · next check due 15 April 2027
Planning guidance only. The authority or institution named on each step decides; requirements, fees and deadlines change.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice.