From 1 January changes will be made to individual vocational training in Flanders. The Flemish Employment Minister Zuhal Demir (nationalist) believes that the changes will make vocational training in Flanders more attractive and less expensive. However, trade unions say that some of those taking a vocational training course could suffer loss of income.
Individual vocational training enables job seekers to receive training and support in the workplace. During their training, they continue to receive their benefit and also receive an extra payment from the VDAB (Flemish Employment and Vocational Training Service).
This form of vocational training, that is known as IBO, has proved successful for many years. At its peak there were more than 15,000 participants in IBO courses per annum. However, in recent years, the system has experienced setbacks and the number of participants has declined significantly. In 2022, there were 2,123, falling to 1,858 in 2023 and 1,653 in 2024.
The Flemish Employment Minister Zuhal Demir has decided to reform the system. She believes that this will enable most participants to receive a higher allowance, calculated on the basis of their future salary upon recruitment. The employer will also pay person that is being trained, participant directly rather than having to go through the VDAB.
However, the unions fear that given that the allowance will be calculated on what the person that is being trained will earn once they start work, those that are being trained for jobs that pay the minimum wage will receive a lower allowance that has hitherto been the case.