Reference year 2026
Version 2026
Drafted by Marieke Vandeweyer, Project coordinator Dual Learning, Flemish Department for Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy - Member of Cedefop Community of apprenticeship experts for Belgium - Flemish community
The legal basis for apprenticeships is secured through multiple decrees. The cornerstone is the
2016 Decree concerning certain aspects of alternating training schemes (Decreet tot regeling van bepaalde aspecten van alternerende opleidingen), which regulates aspects of the existing scheme ‘dual learning’ (and the other apprenticeship schemes that existed at the time). The aspects are:
- The contracts which can be used in the (then, three) apprenticeship schemes
- The organization of a Flemish partnership for Dual learning and sectoral partnerships
- The criteria for accreditation of companies.
Additional decrees introduced changes over the years, including:
- 2018 Decree concerning dual learning and the preparatory programme (Decreet Duaal leren en de aanloopfase). It covers aspects of the (at the time, three) apprenticeship schemes existing in the country at upper-secondary level (i.e. dual learning, part-time vocational secondary education, and apprenticeship ‘leertijd’). It also concerns the preparatory programme which prepares pupils to start dual learning (this is not considered an apprenticeship scheme though).
- 2018 Decree concerning dual learning in special secundary education (Decreet betreffende het duaal leren in het buitengewoon secundair onderwijs van opleidingsvorm 3 en 4). It expands dual learning to special secondary education and regulates how it is organised.
- 2022 Decree concerning certain aspects of dual learning in adult education (Decreet tot regeling van bepaalde aspecten van duale opleidingen in het volwassenenonderwijs). It expands dual learning to adult education and regulates how it is organised.
NB. The terms “scheme” and “programme” are used here as a direct translation of the national legal sources.
Definition as used in the 2016 Decree concerning certain aspects of alternating training schemes:
An apprenticeship scheme is any training in fulltime secondary education (and some forms of special upper secondary education) and adult education, identified as ‘dual’ by the Flemish Government. In apprenticeships, school-based education and in-company training are combined. Both components contribute to the realization of one training plan and are therefore intertwined on the level of organization and content.
The definition used in the 2018 Decree concerning dual learning and the preparatory programme: dual learning is an apprenticeship scheme, where competences are developed in-company and at a dual learning provider in a balanced way. The goal is the attainment of a general education qualification, or, in case this proves to be impossible, a professional qualification.
[1] http://data-onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/edulex/document.aspx?docid=14032
At upper-secondary level: In secondary education, students between 15-25 years old can enrol in dual learning programmes in technical and vocational education pathways (see Q5 for more). The upper age limit does not apply to learners in the specialisation year in vocational secondary education.
At post-secondary level: In advanced technical secondary education (ISCED 4) students can enrol in dual learning programmes, irrespective of their age.
Adults can also enrol in dual learning programmes at these two levels as part of adult education, alternating training at a Centre for adult education and in a company.
Cedefop’s VET in Europe database provides additional information on the national VET system and the position of apprenticeships within it: https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-in-europe/systems/belgium-u3…;
• The former system of apprenticeships ‘Leertijd’ have a long history. During the Middle Ages, professions were taught by guilds. Youngsters could learn a profession under the supervision of a master. After a master-proof test they could become ‘gezel’ (journeyman) or master. In 1906, these arrangements were regulated by law. These regulations changed with the introduction of compulsory schooling (1914) and part-time compulsory schooling (1983).
• The former system of part-time vocational secondary education started in 1984, introduced by a decree in 1990, then refined in 2008.
• Dual learning was introduced in 2016 as a pilot scheme, and since 2019 it exists as an official apprenticeship scheme. With the introduction of dual learning, the two other schemes have been phased out. Since 2024/25, dual learning is the only remaining apprenticeship scheme.
In the Belgian constitution, freedom of education is an important principle, which means:
- Free access to provision for any child in BE territory from pre-primary to end of compulsory
- Freedom of choice of school (parental rights)
- Freedom to provide education (high number of publicly funded private schools, high autonomy of school boards in curriculum, organization of the school and allocation of resources)
The start and end of compulsory education is from 5 until 18 years old.
The secondary education system has 3 stages, each one lasting 2 years. The third stage also has a specialisation year (3rd year of the 3rd stage, or often referred to as 7th year). There are two vocationally-oriented pathways, starting from the 2nd stage: technical education (which combines a labour market and higher education orientation) and vocational education (which has a labour market orientation). Dual learning can happen in both pathways: in technical education is available only in the 3rd stage, while in vocational education it is also available in the 2nd stage.