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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice
National reforms in vocational education and training and adult learning

Belgium - German-Speaking Community

14.Ongoing reforms and policy developments

14.3National reforms in vocational education and training and adult learning

Last update: 10 June 2022
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2022

Reforms to be updated. 

2021

ZAWM (Zentrum für Aus- und Weiterbildung) submits a project application for 01.01.2022 with the focus on vocational testing, shortened training and German as a second language support.  A survey of ZAWM staff on refugee and immigrant apprentices has shown that, on the one hand, only a few people from this target group find their way into apprenticeships.   On the other hand, an increased need for support was identified in this target group, especially in the area of German as a second language, but also in mathematics and French.  

In order to create a broader access to apprenticeship, the BIDA III project would like to offer a vocational trial for interested adults. In addition, a shortened and low-threshold training programme called "training on the job" is to make training possible for people for whom a three to five-year apprenticeship would not be an option.  The project wants to respond to the great need for support in the area of German as a foreign language, but also in mathematics and French, by offering individual support in the form of individual and group tutoring. The language support (DaZ) accompanies the participants in mastering general knowledge, technical knowledge and in the workplace.   The project is designed for a funding period of three years.

Adult learning 

The funding of classical adult education, i.e. the annual flat-rate grant according to Article 10 of the Decree of 17 November 2008 on the promotion of adult education institutions, remains in place. The funding of the already approved supplementary grants according to Article 11 of the same decree of 17 November 2008 also remains in place. The government has decided to extend the grant guarantee.  

The eligibility criterion of a minimum of 104 CET (Continuing Education Offer Days) offer days per year or (since 1 January 2020) 208 CET units within two calendar years, of which at least 160 units are aimed at adults and at least 40 units take place in the north and 40 units in the south of the German-speaking area - according to Article 7(3) of the same decree of 17 November 2008 will be softened due to the current situation.   

2020

Measures that will take place : In order to mitigate the effects of the Corona crisis in the training sector, the Government is authorised to introduce a one-off premium for companies that conclude training contracts in the 2020-2021 training year. Continuation of the reforms implemented in 2018/2019, like : 

Bida project

BIDA is aimed at apprentices who drop out in their first year of apprenticeship. The goal is to target those young people, to coach them, and to consolidate their further education as well as to prevent further drop-outs.

The BIDA project offers apprentices the following assistance in cooperation with the schools, the training companies, and the apprenticeship consultant[1]:

  • re-linkage between the school and the personal career;
  • analysis of the apprentice’s strengths, interests, and motivations;
  • help in finding a new professional or academic path;
  • creation of an individual accompanying plan;
  • training modules tailored to the young person's needs (test anxiety, communication, self-confidence, social competencies, ...).;
  • assistance in case of conflicts in the company and/or at school;
  • accompaniment to partner organizations.

In summary, BIDA has been designed for accompanying apprentices risking drop-out and to facilitate a better integration into the regular structures of the dual training after going through the project. The participation of young people in the project is voluntary and the duration of the coaching can vary according to need.

The working method of the project is characterized by a high degree of cooperation with internal and external partners; for example internally with social education services, apprenticeship consultant in the ZAWMs, and teachers – and externally with Kaleido East Belgium (Center for the Healthy Development of Children and Adolescents), the part-time education centres, employers, and trainers as well as with school principals of other types of schools.

Lehre 29+

A new training offer is taking place in the German-speaking Community and it is dedicated to persons with replacement income. We call it the apprenticeship contract "29 Plus"

From September 2018, persons receiving a replacement income will have the opportunity  to sign an apprenticeship contract.

This offer is aimed at traditional jobseekers who receive either unemployment benefit or integration income (for example, ÖSHZ income, ONEM income) and people who are receiving a replacement income due to health problems and wanting to learn a profession (e.g., EDRIS, INAMI, FÖD DG, persons with disabilities).

The second version has as target audience : persons who decide to study a profession for which a significant shortage of skilled workers prevails AND have received at least 78 daily benefits (= 3 months benefit) within the two years prior to the official start date of the dual training.