Attracting learners to apprenticeship

Policy development
Practical measure/Initiative
Belgium-DE
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Timeline
  • 2015Implementation
  • 2016Implementation
  • 2017Implementation
  • 2018Implementation
  • 2019Implementation
  • 2020Implementation
  • 2021Implementation
  • 2022Implementation
  • 2023Implementation
  • 2024Implementation
ID number
27998

Background

A brief overview of the context and rationale of the policy development, explaining why it is implemented or why it is important.

Each year training places in companies remain unoccupied.

Objectives

Goals and objectives of the policy development.

To increase the attractiveness of apprenticeship, especially for professions which struggle to find enough candidates, by providing incentives addressing mainly young learners, NEETs and migrants

Description

What/How/Who/For whom/When of the policy development in detail, explaining its activities and annual progress, main actors and target groups.

To increase the attractiveness of apprenticeship, various measures have been taken in the German-speaking Community since 2015:

  • an online apprenticeship exchange platform was set up to help learners find apprenticeship places;
  • one-day tasters in companies were offered to pupils from secondary general education in the academic year 2016/17, to familiarise them with various IVET and apprenticeship programmes in different sectors (such as bank, health, transport and logistics). Different stakeholders are involved in organising these events, including enterprises, the study circle School and business, the Ministry of the German-speaking Community's department for pedagogy, and the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The objective is to lead general education schools to organise career search days by themselves;
  • in 2016, vocational training centres organised the so-called Startech days, which are qualifying rounds for the national vocational competition for auto-mechatronic specialists and carpenters;
  • since 2016, a one-day event was organised to promote professions lacking apprentices. The focus each year has been on a different professional field: chemistry in 2016, metal professions in 2017, transport and logistics in 2018, and chemistry again in 2019. During the event, pupils and their parents receive information on the relevant IVET programme, on further progression paths, and on insights into the job;
  • in 2017, a taster...

To increase the attractiveness of apprenticeship, various measures have been taken in the German-speaking Community since 2015:

  • an online apprenticeship exchange platform was set up to help learners find apprenticeship places;
  • one-day tasters in companies were offered to pupils from secondary general education in the academic year 2016/17, to familiarise them with various IVET and apprenticeship programmes in different sectors (such as bank, health, transport and logistics). Different stakeholders are involved in organising these events, including enterprises, the study circle School and business, the Ministry of the German-speaking Community's department for pedagogy, and the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The objective is to lead general education schools to organise career search days by themselves;
  • in 2016, vocational training centres organised the so-called Startech days, which are qualifying rounds for the national vocational competition for auto-mechatronic specialists and carpenters;
  • since 2016, a one-day event was organised to promote professions lacking apprentices. The focus each year has been on a different professional field: chemistry in 2016, metal professions in 2017, transport and logistics in 2018, and chemistry again in 2019. During the event, pupils and their parents receive information on the relevant IVET programme, on further progression paths, and on insights into the job;
  • in 2017, a taster week on nutrition professions was organised for the first time;
  • in 2018 for the first time a fair of apprenticeship professions (Markt der Lehrberufe) took place. Companies looking for apprentices presented themselves and their particularities to young people interested in beginning an apprenticeship.
2015
Implementation
2016
Implementation
2017
Implementation
2018
Implementation
2019
Implementation

In March 2019, IAWM organised together with ZAWM Eupen and St. Vith, the fair 'Market of Apprenticeships' at ZAWM Eupen and at Triangle St. Vith. Children, young people and their parents were invited to find out about the training opportunities in East Belgium and the diversity of professions. Local training providers spread information about professional practice in an interactive way. About 550 visitors total attended the apprenticeship market at both places.

2020
Implementation

In 2020, the measures were operational and ran as a regular practice, the fair of apprenticeship professions however was cancelled due to COVID-19.

2021
Implementation

In 2021, the measures were operational and ran as a regular practice, the fair of apprenticeship professions however was cancelled due to COVID-19.

2022
Implementation

In 2022, the measures were operational and ran as a regular practice, the fair of apprenticeship professions however was cancelled due to COVID-19.

2023
Implementation

In 2023, the measures were operational and ran as a regular practice. The fair of apprenticeship professions took place in March 2023 (first reorganisation after COVID-19).

2024
Implementation

The 'Market of Apprenticeships' and the 'Day of Education' events were combined to create a comprehensive opportunity for career exploration in East Belgium. Held on 24th March 2024 at ZAWM Eupen and Triangel St. Vith, the event showcased a wide range of training options, inviting participants to explore various trades and vocational paths.

Attendees enjoyed hands-on workshops - building birdhouses, exploring hairdressing, and using training simulators - hosted by IAWM, ZAWM, and partner institutions such as the Robert Schuman Institute and Technical Institute St. Vith. Experts from training companies and specialist educators engaged in inspiring conversations with attendees, sparking interest in the many professions and training opportunities available in East Belgium.

Bodies responsible

This section lists main bodies that are responsible for the implementation of the policy development or for its specific parts or activities, as indicated in the regulatory acts. The responsibilities are usually explained in its description.
  • Ministry of German-Speaking Community
  • German chamber of industry and commerce

Target groups

Those who are positively and directly affected by the measures of the policy development; those on the list are specifically defined in the EU VET policy documents. A policy development can be addressed to one or several target groups.

Learners

  • Young people (15-29 years old)
  • Young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)
  • Learners with migrant background, including refugees

Thematic categories

Thematic categories capture main aspects of the decision-making and operation of national VET and LLL systems. These broad areas represent key elements that all VET and LLL systems have to different extents and in different combinations, and which come into focus depending on the EU and national priorities. Thematic categories are further divided into thematic sub-categories. Based on their description, policy developments can be assigned to one or several thematic categories.

Supporting lifelong learning culture and increasing participation

Lifelong learning refers to all learning (formal, non-formal or informal) taking place at all stages in life and resulting in an improvement or update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or in participation in society from a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective (Erasmus+, Glossary of terms, https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/programme-guide/part-d/glossary-common-terms). A systemic approach to CVET is crucial to ensure adaptability to evolving demands.

This broad thematic category looks at ways of creating opportunities and ensuring access to re-skilling and upskilling pathways, allowing individuals to progress smoothly in their learning throughout their lives with better permeability between general and vocational education and training, and better integration and compatibility between initial and continuing VET and with higher education. Individuals should be supported in acquiring and updating their skills and competences and navigating easily through education and training systems. Strategies and campaigns that promote VET and LLL as an attractive and high-quality pathway, providing quality lifelong guidance and tailored support to design learning and career paths, and various incentives (financial and non-financial) to attract and support participation in VET and LLL fall into this thematic category as well.

This thematic category also includes many initiatives on making VET inclusive and ensuring equal education and training opportunities for various groups of learners, regardless of their personal and economic background and place of residence – especially those at risk of disadvantage or exclusion, such as persons with disabilities, the low-skilled and low-qualified, minorities, migrants, refugees and others.

Promotion strategies and campaigns for VET and lifelong learning

This thematic sub-category refers to initiatives that promote VET and lifelong learning implemented at any level and by any stakeholder. It also covers measures to ensure and broaden access to information about VET to various target groups, including targeted information and promotional campaigns (e.g. for parents, adult learners, vulnerable groups). Among others, it includes national skill competitions and fairs organised to attract learners to VET.

Lifelong guidance

This thematic sub-category refers to providing high-quality lifelong learning and career guidance services, including making full use of Europass and other digital services and resources.

Subsystem

Part of the vocational education and training and lifelong learning systems the policy development applies to.
IVET
CVET

Further reading

Sources for further reading where readers can find more information on policy developments: links to official documents, dedicated websites, project pages. Some sources may only be available in national languages.
Apprenticeship Fair 2023

Country

Belgium-DE

Type of development

Policy developments are divided into three types: strategy/action plan; regulation/legislation; and practical measure/initiative.
Practical measure/Initiative
Cite as

Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Attracting learners to apprenticeship: Belgium-DE. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2025). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2024 update) [Online tool].

https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/lt/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/27998