- 2016Implementation
- 2017Implementation
- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
Background
The training sector is not immune to digital developments, demographic and cultural changes, and ecological transition.
Objectives
Support training actors in adapting to changes and innovations in the professional context: diversity and precariousness of the target audience, explosion of new technologies, new learning and communication methods.
Description
FormaForm is a partnership scheme set up by vocational training actors Le Forem, Bruxelles Formation and IFAPME. It started as a project to pool resources and strengthen organisations by developing a common training offer for VET trainers. The main mission is thus to offer training and integration professionals tailor-made and innovative services to develop their skills for the benefit of their respective target groups by pooling resources and expertise. The services are available free of charge to the main public training providers in the French-speaking part of Belgium.
The multi-annual strategic plan for 2016-20 of the training centre FormaForm places special emphasis on projects relating to digital technology, particularly in connection with the European profile DigCompEdu. Consensus conferences on the professionalisation of trainers have been organised. They are intended to take stock of the situation and make recommendations on this matter. In Brussels, the FormaForm offer has been accessible to the trainers of other training providers since 2017.
The professional developments of VET trainers in digital skills concern:
- development of training courses specific to digital and distance learning;
- establishment of a digital training path in the catalogue;
- adaptation of training courses to remote or hybrid mode;
- organisation of e-mornings: exploration of multiple online learning techniques (conferences, webinars, distance...
FormaForm is a partnership scheme set up by vocational training actors Le Forem, Bruxelles Formation and IFAPME. It started as a project to pool resources and strengthen organisations by developing a common training offer for VET trainers. The main mission is thus to offer training and integration professionals tailor-made and innovative services to develop their skills for the benefit of their respective target groups by pooling resources and expertise. The services are available free of charge to the main public training providers in the French-speaking part of Belgium.
The multi-annual strategic plan for 2016-20 of the training centre FormaForm places special emphasis on projects relating to digital technology, particularly in connection with the European profile DigCompEdu. Consensus conferences on the professionalisation of trainers have been organised. They are intended to take stock of the situation and make recommendations on this matter. In Brussels, the FormaForm offer has been accessible to the trainers of other training providers since 2017.
The professional developments of VET trainers in digital skills concern:
- development of training courses specific to digital and distance learning;
- establishment of a digital training path in the catalogue;
- adaptation of training courses to remote or hybrid mode;
- organisation of e-mornings: exploration of multiple online learning techniques (conferences, webinars, distance training, workshops, practice sharing groups);
- active participation in the EaSI (EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation) Start digital project as coordinator of digital mediators, who are disseminated in all partner institutions (analysis of the needs of trainers, pooling of tools and methods, development of a platform for the exchange of digital practices and tools, work on positioning).
2020 was the year of digital and remote healthcare due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The health context has led to a quantum leap for everyone, bringing all involved parties into distance learning, hybridisation and exploration of the different digital learning methods. FormaForm has deployed a wide range of training courses and other methods to support trainers in updating their digital skills enabling them amongst others to conduct their training in a hybrid or distance learning format. The strategic plan emphasising projects relating to digital technology stopped at the end of 2020.
In 2021, new learning methods have been developed and support the various educational innovations at FormaForm. In addition to these activities, new training courses for trainers were organised during the Estivales summer event. The event brought together various stakeholders who are involved in training, guidance and socio-professional integration for 10 days. The objectives of this event are the skills development, inspiration and networking. Furthermore, at the end of the year (10 days dedicated to skills development, innovation, networking) in August and the Inspiralia event took place in November, in which over 200 participants took place, who enjoyed the offer of 10 conferences, 9 stands, 29 workshops and 1 major collaborative game
2022 marks the creation of a new legal structure for FormaForm, making it a new public service and strengthening its missions and legitimacy in the vocational training landscape.
FormaForm significantly increased the range of offered training courses for trainers and support for sustainable development initiatives, adapting to and accommodating the diversity of the public and lifelong guidance.
New developments include:
- a new learning method developed by peers: 'Pair'spective', which reinforces reflexivity and collaboration to develop skills based on co-development and collective intelligence methods;
- update of the training offer, restructure, adaptation of the presentations and content to better meet the needs expressed by the audience.
The cooperation agreement strengthens FormaForm's core missions while introducing new tasks and expertise, leading to the recruitment of several agents and a complete team reorganisation. By gradually positioning itself as a key player in the professionalisation of stakeholders in socio-professional guidance, FormaForm fosters a new dynamic that enhances collaboration and maximises its impact in the community.
The offer was structured around three main areas:
- the professionalisation of trainers,
- the professionalisation of guidance stakeholders, and
- the quality assurance agency for vocational training (ensuring the quality of assessments and certifications carried out by training and skills validation providers).
A total of 335 training sessions were organised with the participation of 96 trainers.
In 2023, numerous events were held that demonstrated a strong dedication to continuous professional development in the areas of training, guidance, and socio-professional integration. For example, the Estivales event provided ten days filled with 56 training sessions, 22 workshops, and networking opportunities, all designed to enhance skills across nine areas of expertise at six different locations in Wallonia and Brussels. Similarly, the Inspiralia event created a unique space for stakeholders to explore and engage with a diverse range of activities tailored to their needs, continually evolving to reflect the sector's developments. Finally, recognising that everyone plays a vital role in driving change, FormaForm is dedicated to highlighting and supporting ground-level initiatives that contribute to the advancement of professional practices during the Forma d'Or contest.
As part of its involvement in international projects, FormaForm offers support for trainers in countries with limited access to education focusses on creating partnerships that aim to make educational resources more accessible, offer online training programmes that can be accessed remotely, and establish connections with local institutions to strengthen the capacities of local trainers. In 2023, they partnered with several Belgian public institutions for projects in Senegal, Congo, Madagascar, and Morocco.
In 2024, FormaForm continued to support training, guidance and socio-professional integration professionals in developing their skills.
Bodies responsible
- FormaForm
Target groups
Education professionals
- Trainers
Thematic categories
Modernising VET offer and delivery
This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.
The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.
This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.
Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.
This thematic sub-category is about the way learners learn, how the learning is delivered to them, and by what means. Programmes become more accessible through a combination of adaptable and flexible formats (e.g. face-to-face, digital and/or blended learning), through digital learning platforms that allow better outreach, especially for vulnerable groups and for learners in geographically remote or rural areas.
This thematic sub-category refers to acquisition of key competences and basic skills for all, from an early age and throughout their life, including those acquired as part of qualifications and curricula. Key competences include knowledge, skills and attitudes needed by all for personal fulfilment and development, employability and lifelong learning, social inclusion, active citizenship and sustainable awareness. Key competences include literacy; multilingual; science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM); digital; personal, social and learning to learn; active citizenship, entrepreneurship, cultural awareness and expression (Council of the European Union, 2018).
This thematic sub-category covers all developments related to work-based learning (WBL) elements in VET programmes and apprenticeships which continue to be important in the policy agenda. It includes measures to stabilise the offer of apprenticeships, the implementation of the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships, and using the EU on-demand support services and policy learning initiatives among the Member States. It also covers further expansion of apprenticeships and WBL to continuing VET (CVET), for transition to work and inclusion of vulnerable groups, and for improving citizens’ qualification levels.
Teachers, trainers and school leaders competences
Competent and motivated VET teachers in schools and trainers in companies are crucial to VET becoming innovative and relevant, agile, resilient, flexible, inclusive and lifelong.
This thematic category comprises policies and practices of initial training and continuing professional development approaches in a systemic and systematic manner. It also looks at measures aiming to update (entry) requirements and make teaching and training careers attractive and bring more young and talented individuals and business professionals into teaching and training. Supporting VET educators by equipping them with adequate competences, skills and tools for the green transition and digital teaching and learning are addressed in separate thematic sub-categories.
The measures in this category target teachers and school leaders, company trainers and mentors, adult educators and guidance practitioners.
This thematic sub-category refers to all kinds of initial and continuing professional development (CPD) for VET educators who work in vocational schools and in companies providing VET. VET educators include teachers and school leaders, trainers and company managers involved in VET, as well as adult educators and guidance practitioners – those who work in school- and work-based settings. The thematic sub-category includes national strategies, training programmes or individual courses to address the learning needs of VET educators and to develop their vocational (technical) skills, and pedagogical (teaching) skills and competences. Such programmes concern state-of-the-art vocational pedagogy, innovative teaching methods, and competences needed to address evolving teaching environments, e.g. teaching in multicultural settings, working with learners at risk of early leaving, etc.
This thematic sub-category is in line with the EU policy focus on the digital transition, and refers to professional development and other measures to prepare and support teachers and trainers in teaching their learners digital skills and competences. It also covers measures and support for them to increase their own digital skills and competences, including for teaching in virtual environments, working with digital tools and applying digital pedagogies. Emergency measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic also fall into this sub-category.
European priorities in VET
VET Recommendation
- VET as an attractive choice based on modern and digitalised provision of training and skills
Osnabrück Declaration
- Establishing a new lifelong learning culture - relevance of continuing VET and digitalisation
- Sustainability - a green link in VET
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Professional development of VET trainers: Belgium-FR. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28044