Dual training Formation en alternance Belgium (FR) 1 TARGET GROUP Q7. What is the target group of this scheme? YOUNG PEOPLE IN INITIAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (15-16 YEAR-OLDS) YOUNG ADULTS IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING (ABOVE 16 YEAR-OLDS) UNEMPLOYED (PLEASE SPECIFY IN THE DESCRIPTION) In compliance with the law on compulsory education, to access formation en alternance, the candidate has to be aged at least 15 years and have completed at least the first 2 years of secondary education. To conclude a "contrat d'alternance", the candidate learner must not have reached the age of 25 years. He can continue his training at most until the end of the calendar year in which he reaches the age of 26. L'enseignement en alternance aimed at the same options, the same objectives in terms of competences and the same qualifications that full-time education, referred to as enseignement en alternance article 49 (in reference to Decree of 24 July 1997 defining the priority missions of basic education and secondary education and organising the structures to achieve them) has slightly different access conditions. Q8. What is the age of learners? BETWEEN 15 AND 18 BETWEEN 18 AND 24 ABOVE 24 This scheme attracts potential early leavers or learners who accumulated school failure, the majority of learners are aged 18+. 2 OVERVIEW OF THE SCHEME
Q9. Is the scheme included in the ISCED 2011 mapping? YES NO Q10. Is the scheme part of the VET system? YES, IT IS THE MAIN ROUTE IN THE VET SYSTEM YES, BUT IT IS CONSIDERED A SECOND- CHANCE ROUTE NO, IT IS AN ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY OUTSIDE OF FORMAL VET It is usually when learners failed all school options (i.e. general education, technical education, school based VET). However, the reform being implemented from September 2015 aims to encourage young people to make this choice in a positive way, rather than being a second-chance route in case of a difficult educational path. For this, harmonisation and simplification of the system(s) were needed. Q11. When was the scheme introduced? LONG HISTORY (BEFORE 2000) RECENTLY INTRODUCED (BETWEEN 2000-2012) NEW PATHWAY (AFTER 2012) The Formation en alternance was introduced in 1985 at the time of the extension of compulsory education from age 15 to 18, with the implicit purpose of providing education to all young people who were at risk of early leaving. Q12. How did the apprenticeship scheme originate?
TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP (MASTER-APPRENTICE RELATION) TO PREPARE APPRENTICES FOR THE OCCUPATION SCHOOL-BASED VET TRACK BY INCLUDING MORE WORK-BASED LEARNING TO SUPPLY SKILLED WORKFORCE TO MATCH LABOUR MARKET NEEDS PROGRAMMES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED (ACTIVE LABOUR MARKET MEASURES) TO FACILITATE INTEGRATION ON THE LABOUR MARKET Q13. What are the major sources of financing of the in-company training part of the apprenticeship scheme? BY COMPANIES HOSTING APPRENTICES BY EMPLOYERS THROUGH SECTORAL FUNDS BY THE STATE FROM THE EDUCATION BUDGET BY THE STATE FROM THE LABOUR / SOCIAL SECURITY BUDGET BY EU FUNDING CEFAs are part of the formal educational system and are therefore publicly financed. IFAPME/SFPME centres are financed by public educational authorities up to 75%. The rest of their budget is linked to enrolment fees. Q14. Are there any financial incentives for companies that offer apprenticeship places?
YES, SUBSIDIES YES, TAX DEDUCTIONS YES, INCENTIVES NO FINANCIAL INCENTIVES Financial incentives are currently being redesigned. Employers taking on apprentices may benefit from the reduction in social security contributions as well as incentives for tutorial training programme and the right of paid educational leave. Furthermore, the internship bonus (stage bonus; also called bonus Tutorat ) provides for a premium for each employer who trains a youngster or employs him within the framework of a training or employment contract. The bonus amounts to the bonus amounts to 500 for the 1st and 2nd year and 750 for the 3rd year (paid at the end of each training year completed, successful or not). Moreover, employers may also benefit from a tax benefit: 40% of the learning compensations paid to the youngster may be considered as work-related expenses. (ReferNet, Apprenticeship-type schemes, Belgium 2014). Q15. Is the scheme temporary, meaning that it is financed for a limited period of time? YES NO Q16. How many learners are enrolled in this scheme? For the school year 2013/2014, there were 9,085 students enrolled in a CEFA. http://www.enseignement.be/download.php?do_id=12934&do_check In 2011, 5,323 persons were in a formation en alternance organised by IFAPME, and 999 by SFPME. (Report on referencing the French-Speaking Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning to the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning) Q17. How many learners are enrolled in this scheme in relation to all VET students?
THE MAIN VET TRACK (MAJORITY OF VET LEARNERS - MORE THAN 60% OF VET LEARNERS) STRONG VET TRACK (IMPORTANT SHARE OF VET LEARNERS - BETWEEN 30%-60%) MINOR TRACK (SMALL SHARE OF LEARNERS - BETWEEN 10% AND 30%) VERY SMALL TRACK (LESS THAN 10%) APPRENTICES ARE NOT CONSIDERED AS LEARNERS (THEY ARE EMPLOYEES) For the school year 2013/2014, in comparison, 104,052 students were enrolled in school-based vocational education (enseignement de qualification) managed by educational authorities. CEFA learners therefore represented 8% of the total of upper-secondary VET population. Taking into account all pupils in upper-secondary education (234,455), CEFA learners accounted for 3.9%. http://www.enseignement.be/download.php?do_id=12934&do_check In total, about 5% of young people aged 15-25 are in a formation en alternance in Wallonia (2015) (http://www.lesoir.be/876796/article/actualite/belgique/2015-05-12/un-contrat-unique-pour-formation-en-alternance-enwallonie-et-bruxelles). Q18. How many learners are enrolled in the scheme in relation to all programmes for learners of the same age group? THE MAIN TRACK (MAJORITY OF LEARNERS - MORE THAN 60% OF ALL LEARNERS) STRONG TRACK (IMPORTANT SHARE OF ALL LEARNERS - BETWEEN 30%-60%) MINOR TRACK (SMALL SHARE OF LEARNERS - BETWEEN 10% AND 30%) VERY SMALL TRACK (LESS THAN 10%) Taking into account all pupils in upper-secondary education (234,455), CEFA learners accounted for 3.9%. http://www.enseignement.be/download.php?do_id=12934&do_check 3 QUALIFICATIONS
Q19. Does the apprenticeship scheme result in a qualification? YES NO Q20. Which is the type of qualification obtained through the apprenticeship scheme? EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OCCUPATIONAL / SECTORAL QUALIFICATION Qualifications and certificates issued that are equivalent to those of full-time education are called article 49 : Certificate of sixth year of studies of vocational secondary education (CE6P, Certificat d'études de sixième année de l'enseignement secondaire professionnel), Certificate of upper-secondary education (CESS, Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur), Qualification certificate for the sixth/seventh year of study (Certificat de qualification de sixième/septième année). These are equivalent to EQF level 3 or 4. Article 45: Vocational skills certificate (ACP, Attestation de compétences professionnelles) and the specific vocational certification (CQS, Certificat de qualification spécifique) are recognised by the professional community but are not equivalent to article 49 diplomas and certificates. List of IFAPME qualifications: http://www.ifapme.be/formations-a-un-metier/formations/catalogue-des-formations-a-unmetier.html. Q21. Is the qualification included in the National Qualification Framework (NQF)? YES NO THERE IS NO NQF No NQF, but according to draft NQF it would be qualifications at Level 3 and 4 of EQF. Q22. How does the qualification link to the scheme?
IT IS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF QUALIFICATION WHICH CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED THROUGH THIS APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME THE SAME QUALIFICATION CAN BE ACHIEVED ALSO THROUGH PROGRAMMES (I.E. SCHOOL-BASED VET) Qualifications and certificates issued that are equivalent to those of full-time education are called article 49 : Certificate of sixth year of studies of vocational secondary education (CE6P, Certificat d'études de sixième année de l'enseignement secondaire professionnel), Certificate of upper-secondary education (CESS, Certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur), Qualification certificate for the sixth/seventh year of study (Certificat de qualification de sixième/septième année) Article 45: Vocational skills certificate (ACP, Attestation de compétences professionnelles) and the specific vocational certification (CQS, Certificat de qualification spécifique) are recognised by the professional community but are not equivalent to article 49 diplomas and certificates. Q23. Does the scheme provide direct access to higher education? YES NO Not always, only those awarded a CESS may directly access higher education. 4 DURATION Q24. What is the duration of the VET pathway? (please refer to the typical duration) Specify number of years: 3 Usually, the three years of upper secondary education. Q25. How is the length of stay in apprenticeships defined in the regulation? IS DEFINED AS MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM IS DEFINED AS MINIMUM IS DEFINED AS MAXIMUM
IS NOT DEFINED BY REGULATION Usually, the three years of upper secondary education. Q26. Is there a distinction between the training and working period for the time spent at workplace, as per regulation? YES, THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK MAKES THIS DISTINCTION NO, THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK MAKES NO DISTINCTION 5 ALTERNATION OF WORK-BASED (IN-COMPANY) TRAINING AND SCHOOL-BASED TRAINING Q27. Is in-company training a compulsory part of the scheme, as per regulation? YES NO A training plan must be attached to the contrat d alternance. It is part of the contract. It is established by the training institution, in consultation with the company and the apprentice. It mentions the apprentice s learning path and skills to be acquired, both through in-company training and through training organised with the training institution. The training plan is divided in 3 levels of competences (A, B, C). Q28. Is there a minimum share of time of the apprenticeship spent in incompany training compulsory as per regulation?
YES, EQUIVALENT OR MORE THAN 50% YES, BETWEEN 20% AND 50% YES, LESS THAN 20% NO, NO MINIMUM SHARE IS COMPULSORY At least 20 hours per week in the company out of 38 hours per week in total. Q29. What is the form of alternation of training between workplace (company) and school / training centre? EVERY WEEK INCLUDES BOTH VENUES ONE OR MORE WEEKS (LESS THAN 1 MONTH) SPENT AT VET SCHOOL FOLLOWED BY ONE OR MORE WEEKS AT WORKPLACE ONE OR MORE MONTHS (LESS THAN 1 YEAR) SPENT AT VET SCHOOL FOLLOWED BY ONE OR MORE MONTHS AT WORKPLACE A LONGER PERIOD (1-2 YEARS) SPENT AT VET SCHOOL FOLLOWED BY A LONGER PERIOD SPENT TRAINING AT WORKPLACE VARIOUS - DEPENDS ON VET SCHOOL / TRAINING CENTRE NOT SPECIFIED Typically, 1-2 days per week in school, 3-4 days in the enterprise.
6 FORMAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EMPLOYER Q30. Is any contractual arrangement between the learner, company and/or education and training provider, required as per regulation? YES NO Contrat d alternance Q31. Which parties enter a contractual relationship? LEARNER AND EMPLOYER LEARNER, EMPLOYER AND THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTION EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTION AND THE EMPLOYER (NOT THE LEARNER) NO CONTRACT IS REQUIRED The contract is signed by the company and the young person, the training institution receives a copy. However, the contract has to include the training plan, which is drafted by the training institution. Q32. What is the nature of the contract? APPRENTICESHIPS ARE A SPECIFIC CONTRACT COVERED BY THE LABOUR CODE APPRENTICESHIPS ARE A FORM OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FORMAL AGREEMENT, NOT COVERED BY THE LABOUR CODE
Q33. Where is the contract registered? AT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTION AT THE EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AT THE CHAMBERS AT THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Q34. What is the status of the learner? APPRENTICE IS A SPECIFIC STATUS STUDENT EMPLOYEE A new definition of apprentice was introduced in July 2015 in order to harmonise the status of young people in formation en alternance with regards to social security. They are mostly treated as ordinary employees, but: young people (until December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of 18), are partially subject to social security. They are only subject to contributions to annual vacation, work accident, occupational diseases. 7 REMUNERATION Q35. Do apprentices receive a salary, allowance or compensation?
YES, ALL APPRENTICES RECEIVE A SALARY (TAXABLE INCOME) YES, ALL APPRENTICES RECEIVE AN ALLOWANCE (NOT A FORM OF TAXABLE INCOME) APPRENTICES RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES COMPENSATION IS POSSIBLE BUT NOT REQUIRED NO FORM OF COMPENSATION IS FORESEEN BY LAW For each skill level (included in the training plan) a minimum remuneration has to be paid to the young person by the company, as determined by decree, based on the guaranteed average minimum monthly income ( 1,501.82), for the duration of the contract: - Level A: minimum 17% ( 255.3) - Level B: minimum 24% ( 360.43) - Level C: minimum 32% ( 480.58) Q36. Who pays the salary / allowance of the apprentice? EMPLOYERS STATE 8 RESPONSIBILITY OF EMPLOYERS Q37. Is the company hosting apprentices required to provide training at the workplace? YES, OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE TRAINING AT THE WORKPLACE IS REQUIRED IN THE CONTRACT YES, IT IS REQUIRED BY LAW YES, REQUIRED BY REGULATIONS
NO, NOT REQUIRED FORMALLY A company authorises a referent from the training institution to visit the place of performance of the "contrat d'alternance" in order to check the company meets the obligations to which it subscribed. Referents ensure that the training plan is implemented and verify the equipment available to the apprentice. Q38. What are the requirements on training companies, as per regulation? HAVE TO PROVIDE A MENTOR / TUTOR / TRAINER HAVE TO PROVIDE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT HAVE TO ENSURE LEARNING SUPPORT HAVE TO DEVELOP A TRAINING PLAN Prior to the conclusion of a contract, the company must have obtained approval from the training institution to deliver formation en alternance. The company introduces an application for approval to a training institution. Within three months of the application, the training institution visits the company to see if the company meets the requirements for accreditation. The company has to provide a tutor. There are two types of tutors: the tutor appointed by the company, responding to one of three conditions specified in the contract. This is the company solemnly declares that the appointed tutor meets one of three conditions and justification of irreproachable conduct. The company hereby declare having checked the documents confirming the tutor's ability to be approved as. The approved tutor in the sense of the Royal Decree of 16 May 2003. To be approved and benefit from reduced social security contributions "target group tutors", the tutor must both demonstrate a minimum of 5 years professional experience attested by: a certificate from the employer itself and/or a certificate of one or more previous employers and/or a copy of the registration of the tutor of the Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises. And either a copy of the certificate of training in tutoring, a copy of the certificate of achievement of skills validation test as a tutor, or a copy of his teaching certificate. Q39. Are there any sanctions on companies that do not provide training to apprentices at the workplace?
YES NO No mention found in the regulation. Q40. What is the role of chambers, employers' and employees' representatives (social partners), sectoral councils (if existent), in apprenticeships, as per regulation? ROLES IN DESIGNING QUALIFICATIONS/ CURRICULA ROLES IN FINAL ASSESSMENT OF APPRENTICES ROLES IN QUALITY ASSURANCE OF WORK- BASED VET RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE CONTRACT NO ROLE