Adult education and vocational training in the German-speaking Community are central pillars for individual development and the economic competitiveness of the region. They provide people of all ages with the opportunity to develop professionally and personally and to actively participate in social life.

Institutes for School-based Further Education

In formal adult education, there are five school-based further education institutes organised or subsidised by the German-speaking Community. Like all schools, the institutes for school-based further education are organised by school authorities from the various networks: The German-speaking Community organises three so-called academies for adult education, which are affiliated with regular secondary schools (Community education system). The municipality of Eupen organises the household courses of the city of Eupen (official subsidised education system).The private Catholic school authority, the Bishop's Schools in the German-speaking Community VoG, organises the evening courses of the Bishop's School St. Vith (free subsidised education system).

The offerings of school-based further education include:

• Various language courses;
• Vocational training;
• Courses primarily aimed at imparting skills in the household sector (cooking, sewing) that enable self-employment upon completion of the multi-year programme;
• Preparation for externally organised examinations to obtain the upper secondary school diploma (A-levels).

Adult Education Institutions

In the German-speaking Community, there are twelve subsidised non-formal adult education institutions. They offer educational programmes that help citizens improve their key competencies and acquire new skills. The aim is to promote social integration, equality of opportunity in the broadest sense, collective action capability, and civic-mindedness, as well as to teach fundamental social and civic values.

The so-called Council for Adult Education (RfE) is the umbrella organisation for adult education institutions in the German-speaking Community. It coordinates and represents the interests of its member organisations.

The Employment Office of the German-speaking Community

Primarily, the Employment Office caters to job seekers, but its audience also includes employees, long-term sick individuals, students, and pupils, insofar as they have a connection to the labour market of the German-speaking Community.

The Employment Office offers the following services: placement, job counselling, assistance with job searches and applications, career and training advice, career information, and vocational training and further education measures.

Collaboration with businesses includes not only traditional placement activities but also other tasks, particularly in the context of business consulting: employee qualification, information and advice regarding hiring and training subsidies, and support in implementing measures.

The Employment Office of the German-speaking Community was established in 2000 by decree as a public interest institution. As of 1 January 2024, the Employment Office operates as a service with separate management (DgG) within the Ministry of the German-speaking Community.

The Centre for Training and Further Education of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ZAWM)

The ZAWM, with its locations in Eupen and St. Vith, offers practical apprenticeship training, master courses, and vocational further education for small and medium-sized enterprises. It is supervised by the Institute for Training and Further Education in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (IAWM).

The Autonomous Higher Education Institution (Autonome Hochschule) of East Belgium

The annually designed further education programme of the Autonomous Higher Education Institution of East Belgium is aimed at:

• Teaching and educational staff of primary and secondary schools,
• Teaching staff of the institutes for school-based further education as well as for small and medium-sized training,
• Teaching staff of part-time education,
• Employees working in the education system and in small and medium-sized training,
• Staff of Kaleido East Belgium, the centre for the healthy development of children and adolescents.

In addition to this further education programme, the AHS also offers two bridging programmes for primary school teaching for qualified adults alongside its regular full-time study programmes.

The External Examination Board

Adults can obtain certain school qualifications through the external examination board. The examinations are organised by the Ministry and aim for qualifications in various fields of study.

Other Providers

Furthermore, there are several other subsidised providers in the German-speaking Community that support the personal or professional development of adults through further education. These include, for example, the Youth Office, the Creative Workshops, the umbrella organisation of East Belgian Sports, the German-speaking professional association for nursing and care assistance (KPVDB), the Institute for Democracy Education, the Media Centre, and Kaleido East Belgium.