# Vdab Jobs Search Scraper (`stealth_mode/vdab-jobs-search-scraper`) Actor Scrape job listings from VDAB.be, Belgium's leading public employment service. Extract job titles, company names, locations, working schedules, experience levels, and more — perfect for labor market analysis and recruitment research. - **URL**: https://apify.com/stealth\_mode/vdab-jobs-search-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Stealth mode](https://apify.com/stealth_mode) (community) - **Categories:** Automation, Developer tools, Jobs - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $1.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## VDAB.be Jobs Scraper: Extract Belgian Job Listings Instantly --- ### What Is VDAB.be? VDAB (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding) is the official Flemish public employment service in Belgium, listing thousands of vacancies across all industries and regions. The platform is a primary source for Belgian labor market data. Manually collecting listings at scale is impractical — the **VDAB.be Jobs Scraper** automates extraction from search result pages, delivering structured records ready for analysis. --- ### Overview The **VDAB Jobs Scraper** targets VDAB's vacancy search pages and returns clean, structured job data per listing. It is built for: - **HR analysts** tracking Belgian labor market trends - **Recruiters** monitoring vacancy activity by region or function - **Researchers** studying shortage occupations and employment patterns - **Developers** feeding Belgian job data into aggregator platforms The scraper supports bulk URL input, configurable item limits, and fault-tolerant URL handling. --- ### Input Format ```json { "urls": [ "https://www.vdab.be/vindeenjob/vacatures?trefwoord=engi&sort=standaard&p=2" ], "ignore_url_failures": true, "max_items_per_url": 50 } ```` | Field | Type | Description | |---|---|---| | `urls` | `array` | One or more VDAB job search result page URLs. Supports pagination via the `&p=` parameter. Add URLs one by one or use bulk edit. | | `max_items_per_url` | `integer` | Maximum number of job records to collect per URL. Default: `20`. | | `ignore_url_failures` | `boolean` | If `true`, the scraper skips failed URLs and continues running instead of stopping the entire run. | > **Tip:** To collect across multiple pages, add each paginated URL separately (e.g., `&p=1`, `&p=2`, `&p=3`). Use search filters like `trefwoord` (keyword) and `sort` to narrow results before scraping. *** ### Output Format **Sample output** ```json { "id": { "id": 73588810 }, "is_closed": false, "first_publication_date": "2026-04-28T05:58:36Z", "last_modified_date": "2026-04-28T05:58:36Z", "total_jobs": 1, "layout": { "logo": "https://cdn.app-prd-cdn.aws.vdab-prd.be/vindeenjob/templates/bedrijven/2969/mobileLogo.png", "alt_text": "Logo LGA Engineering" }, "job_function": { "naam": "Aftersales Project Engineer", "arbeidscircuit_lijn": "Vaste job" }, "company_name": "LGA Engineering", "employment_location_region_or_address": "BEVEREN-KRUIBEKE-ZWIJNDRECHT", "supplier": { "type": "INTERMEDIAIREN", "gemandateerd": true, "bedrijven_galerij_id": 2969 }, "duplicates": [], "working_schedule": [ "Dagwerk" ], "experience": "Minstens 2 jaar ervaring", "shortage_occupation": true, "location": {} } ``` Each job listing returns a flat record with the following fields: #### Identification & Status | Field | Meaning | |---|---| | `ID` | Unique VDAB internal identifier for the vacancy | | `Is Closed` | Boolean flag — `true` if the vacancy is no longer accepting applications | | `First Publication Date` | Date the listing first appeared publicly on VDAB | | `Last Modified Date` | Timestamp of the most recent update to the listing | | `Total Jobs` | Number of open positions associated with this vacancy | #### Job Details | Field | Meaning | |---|---| | `Layout` | Display type or listing format used on the platform | | `Job Function` | Occupational category or function title (e.g., Engineer, Sales) | | `Working Schedule` | Contract schedule type (e.g., full-time, part-time, shifts) | | `Experience` | Required experience level (e.g., no experience, 1–2 years, senior) | | `Shortage Occupation` | Flags whether the role is classified as a Flemish shortage occupation (*knelpuntberoep*) — useful for policy research | #### Location & Company | Field | Meaning | |---|---| | `Company Name` | Name of the hiring employer | | `Employment Location Region Or Address` | Work location, which may be a full address or a regional label | | `Location` | Structured location data (city, municipality, or coordinates) | #### Sourcing Metadata | Field | Meaning | |---|---| | `Supplier` | Source or partner channel that submitted the vacancy to VDAB | | `Duplicates` | Indicates whether similar or duplicate listings were detected for this vacancy | *** ### How to Use 1. **Build your search URL** — Go to [vdab.be/vindeenjob/vacatures](https://www.vdab.be/vindeenjob/vacatures), apply your filters (keyword, region, sector), then copy the URL from the browser. 2. **Add pagination if needed** — Append `&p=2`, `&p=3`, etc. for additional result pages. 3. **Configure the input** — Paste URLs into the `urls` array, set `max_items_per_url` to your desired limit. 4. **Run the scraper** — Start the actor and monitor progress in the run log. 5. **Export** — Download results as JSON, CSV, or Excel. **Common issues:** - Only use **search result page** URLs, not individual job detail pages. - If results seem incomplete, check whether VDAB's search applied a region filter that limits output. - Set `ignore_url_failures: true` for bulk runs to avoid interruptions from occasional page timeouts. *** ### Use Cases & Business Value - **Labor market research:** Identify high-demand roles and shortage occupations in Flanders - **Recruitment intelligence:** Track hiring activity by company, region, or job function - **Policy analysis:** Monitor trends in `Shortage Occupation` flags over time - **Job aggregation:** Enrich Belgian job boards with structured VDAB data *** ### Conclusion The **VDAB.be Jobs Scraper** provides reliable, structured access to Belgium's largest public job database. With fields covering job function, location, schedule, experience, and shortage occupation status, it delivers the depth needed for serious labor market work. Configure your search, run the scraper, and get clean data in minutes. # Actor input Schema ## `urls` (type: `array`): Add the URLs of the Jobs list urls you want to scrape. You can paste URLs one by one, or use the Bulk edit section to add a prepared list. ## `ignore_url_failures` (type: `boolean`): If true, the scraper will continue running even if some URLs fail to be scraped. ## `max_items_per_url` (type: `integer`): The maximum number of items to scrape per URL. ## Actor input object example ```json { "urls": [ "https://www.vdab.be/vindeenjob/vacatures?trefwoord=engi&sort=standaard&p=2" ], "ignore_url_failures": true, "max_items_per_url": 20 } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "urls": [ "https://www.vdab.be/vindeenjob/vacatures?trefwoord=engi&sort=standaard&p=2" ], "ignore_url_failures": true, "max_items_per_url": 20 }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("stealth_mode/vdab-jobs-search-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "urls": ["https://www.vdab.be/vindeenjob/vacatures?trefwoord=engi&sort=standaard&p=2"], "ignore_url_failures": True, "max_items_per_url": 20, } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("stealth_mode/vdab-jobs-search-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "urls": [ "https://www.vdab.be/vindeenjob/vacatures?trefwoord=engi&sort=standaard&p=2" ], "ignore_url_failures": true, "max_items_per_url": 20 }' | apify call stealth_mode/vdab-jobs-search-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=stealth_mode/vdab-jobs-search-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Vdab Jobs Search Scraper", "description": "Scrape job listings from VDAB.be, Belgium's leading public employment service. Extract job titles, company names, locations, working schedules, experience levels, and more — perfect for labor market analysis and recruitment research.", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "moy3BbkBcIZ9wkW65" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/stealth_mode~vdab-jobs-search-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-stealth_mode-vdab-jobs-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/stealth_mode~vdab-jobs-search-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-stealth_mode-vdab-jobs-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/stealth_mode~vdab-jobs-search-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-stealth_mode-vdab-jobs-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "urls": { "title": "URLs of the Jobs list urls to scrape", "type": "array", "description": "Add the URLs of the Jobs list urls you want to scrape. You can paste URLs one by one, or use the Bulk edit section to add a prepared list.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "ignore_url_failures": { "title": "Continue running even if some URLs fail to be scraped", "type": "boolean", "description": "If true, the scraper will continue running even if some URLs fail to be scraped." }, "max_items_per_url": { "title": "Max items per URL", "type": "integer", "description": "The maximum number of items to scrape per URL." } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```