Introducing work-based learning in higher and adult education

In the academic year 2019/20, full integration of the associated degree programmes at university colleges has started. From March 2019 to August 2020, 14 projects were financed by the Flemish European Social Fund (ESF) Agency, exploring the possibilities of dual learning in higher education and formal adult education.

In November 2020, the Flemish ESF agency launched a second call for proposals to stimulate dual learning in the two education levels.

In 2021, several ESF funded projects exploring the feasibility of dual learning in higher and adult learning started for at least two academic school years (2021/22 and 2022/23). 10 projects in higher education and 5 projects in adult learning were executed. Several training programmes are redesigned as a dual pathway, whereby several organisational aspects are explored (how to arrange the programme, how to engage companies, what regulatory framework would support these dual programmes, ...).

In formal adult education, the Flemish Government adopted a Decree on the implementation of dual learning in adult education on 25th of March 2022. Starting from 1 September 2022, adult education centre (Centra voor Volwassenenonderwijs, CVO) can offer dual tracks with up to 50% of work-based learning which lead to a professional qualification. The CVO targets groups such as adults who want to obtain a qualification, certificate or diploma, jobseekers and unemployed people seeking to improve their employability or retrain for a new profession, workers aiming to upskill, reskill or change careers, or early school leavers who wish to obtain a qualification later in life.

In higher education, the possibilities of dual learning was explored in the mentioned ESF funded projects.

In 2023, the implementation of dual learning in formal adult education continued, especially in the healthcare sector this measure is used. Sectoral social partners are ready to extend their services to adult education centres in organising dual programmes.

New pilot projects in higher education institutions and centres for adult education were added. Universities and high schools are exploring the possibility of dual learning in different programmes, the graduate track to professional bachelors and educational masters. Different fields were implicated: chemistry, accounting, retail management, education, marketing, tourism and recreation management, transport and logistics. All of these programmes had a share of at least 33% in work-based learning, while some reported even 60 to 70%.

Additionally, more funding was made available to support the implementation of dual learning, including subsidies for companies who participate in dual learning tracks. Formal partnerships with companies were also made.

In 2024, the implementation of formal adult education in dual learning continued. The number of students participating in dual learning increases steadily, as are the number of possible study fields and agreements. This growth is being monitored. Most of the students participate in dual learning as an employee.

In 2025, the implementation of formal adult education in dual learning continued. The number of possible study fields increased yearly, based on agreements between sectoral and educational partners. ‘Assistant cook’ and ‘care worker’ are the trajectories that have been organised up till now. Most learners participate in dual learning as an employee, whereby their employer provides the workplace learning environment. In Flemish adult education, in addition to dual learning, other forms of intensive workplace learning are also offered, however these programmes do not comply with the provisions of the Flemish regulations on dual learning in adult education.