Individual apprenticeship

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Name of the instrument - Local language
Individuele Beroepsopleiding (IBO)
Name of the instrument - English translation
Individual apprenticeship
Scheme ID
23
Country
Belgium
Reporting year
2020
Type of instrument
Grant for companies
Sub-type of instrument
Support for direct costs and wage costs
Type of entry
Single instrument
Short description

Companies willing to hire unemployed people may receive public contributions to the costs of their training. The employer develops a training plan for each person. In addition, the person may follow external training which is related to the job the person is aiming at. The share of co-funding and the maximum amount are variable, depending on the job and the minimum wage. If the IBO (Individuele Beroepsopleiding, Individual apprenticeship) candidate has insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language, free language coaching for the candidate (and colleagues he/she has to work with) can be asked for. IBO-candidate continues to receive his/her unemployment benefits and an additional IBO-premium. The State (Ministry of Labour) funds this grant.

Not applicable
Level of operation
Regional
Name of a part of the country
Not applicable
Name of the region (for regional instruments)
Flanders
Name of the sector (for sectoral instruments)
Not applicable
Relevance
Key instrument
Decision of Flemish Government of 5 June 2009.
Objective(s) and target(s)
The IBO is an instrument to help unemployed acquire the skills necessary to get back into employment. Employers can agree to provide training to unemployed persons with the aim of giving them a standard contract after 1-6 months period. In exchange, the PES pays social security and part of the salary costs.
Year of implementation
2009
Operation/management
The VDAB, Public Employment Service (PES) in Flanders is the organisation responsible for this instrument. More precisely, the VDAB manages the scheme and provides job-seekers and employers with information and advice.
Eligible group(s)
This instruments targets unemployed persons. Companies (both private or public sector companies) need to be located in Flanders or Brussels.
Group(s) with preferential treatment
No preferential treatment
Education and training eligible
Employer develops a training plan for each person. In addition, the person may follow external training which is related to the job the person is aimimg at. It could involve any on the job traing for employees without relevant experience
Source of financing and collection mechanism
The State (Ministry of Labour) funds this grant. Companies receive public contributions to cover part of the costs of the training of unemployed people that they are willing to hire. The rest of the training plan is funded by the company. The share of co-funding and the maximum amount are variable, depending on the job and the minimum wage.
Financing formula and allocation mechanisms
VDAB (Flemish PES) pays social security and makes a contribution to the salary. Employer pays a lump sum (covering all costs) based on the (hypothetical) wage if the employee is hired. The monthly lump sum (net) corresponds to the gross wage, as follows:650 EUR: 1.768,67 800 EUR: 1.768,68 - 2.081,81 1.000 EUR: 2.081,82 - 2.393,93 1.200 EUR: 2.393,94 - 2.705,04 1.400 EUR: 2.705,05 EUR
Eligible costs
Employer pays lump sum, covering all expenses.
Volumes of funding
Not available
Beneficiaries/take up
2017: 15.120 IBOs started in 2017 2018: 14 575 IBOs started in 2018 2019: 11 648 IBOs finished in 2019 (Source: annual reports VDAB)
Organisation responsible for monitoring/evaluation
VDAB (Flemish PES).
Most relevant webpage - in English
Not available
Most relevant webpage - local language
http://www.vdab.be/werkgevers/ibo
Recent changes

Recent changes in response to COVID-19

No changes

Sources
Website of VDAB: https://werkgevers.vdab.be/werkgevers/ibo https://werkgevers.vdab.be/werkgevers/ibo/faq
Decision of the Flemish Government to establish IBO: http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/loi_a1.pl?language=nl&la=N&cn=…
Annual reports VDAB https://www.vdab.be/trends/jaarverslag.shtml
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