This chapter provides an overview of the various types of adult education in the German-speaking Community of Belgium. It illustrates that adult education encompasses a broad spectrum of initiatives aimed at promoting basic skills, obtaining recognised qualifications and supporting the transition into the labour market. From recognised organisations to specialised programmes for jobseeking adults, the different programmes are outlined that enable learners to develop further professionally and/or personally. In addition, the significance of liberal (popular) adult education, which provides opportunities for cultural and social integration, is highlighted.

Provision to raise achievement in basic skills

Cedefop defines the concept of basic competences as “the skills needed to live in contemporary society, e.g. listening, speaking, reading, writing and mathematics”. In addition to basic competences, the same source identifies the concept of new basic competences, defined as “skills such as information and communication technology (ICT) skills, foreign languages, social, organisational and communicative skills, technological culture and entrepreneurship”.

In the German-speaking Community, the task of promoting basic skills and key competences among adults is entrusted, on the one hand, to the recognised (non-formal) adult education organisations and, on the other hand, to school-based (formal) continuing education.

Provision of recognised adult education

The provision of the recognised adult education organisations is specifically addressed in section 4 “Provision of liberal (popular) adult education” of this chapter.

Provision of school-based continuing education

In the German-speaking Community, there are five “institutes of school-based continuing education” that are either organised or subsidised by the Community.

Like all schools, the institutes of school-based continuing education are organised by school governing bodies of the various networks: by the German-speaking Community (Community education), by the municipality of Eupen (official subsidised education) and by a private-law Catholic school governing body (grant-aided private education). As a rule, the institutes of school-based continuing education are located within existing secondary schools. The provision of school-based continuing education includes language courses, IT courses, the Abitur via the second-chance education pathway, as well as qualifications in cooking and sewing (so-called “brevets”). Courses are generally held in the evenings alongside mainstream education, i.e. between September and June, taking school holidays into account.

Link: School-based continuing education

Other initiatives

In addition, there are initiatives that contribute to improving the performance of adults in basic competences. These include, for example, the provision of a website dealing with the topic of “continuing education for adults”, which contains, among other things, dossiers specifically aimed at promoting basic skills such as language and IT competences by drawing attention to corresponding online and in-person programmes available in the region.

Link: Continuing education portal

Provision to achieve a recognised qualification during adulthood

In the German-speaking Community, the following programmes exist for adults to obtain a recognised qualification:

By an examination before the external school examination board

In the German-speaking Community, it is possible to obtain primary and secondary education certification not only in school but also outside the school system.

In other words, all formal qualifications can be obtained through a system of external examinations coordinated by the Ministry of the German-speaking Community. These include:

• the primary school leaving certificate
• the lower secondary school leaving certificate
• the upper secondary school leaving certificate

The examinations are based on the curriculum that also applies to mainstream schooling.

Preparation for the examinations generally takes the form of self-study.

For some specialisations, there is also the option of attending preparatory courses.

Currently, in 2026, the following preparatory courses are offered:

• Technical qualification, Economics and Office Management, generally two school years, modular structure allowing for individual scheduling, daytime course, 4 to 38 hours per week
• Technical qualification, Economics and Office Management, generally two school years, modular structure, evening course, combinable with the daytime course, one evening per week plus Saturdays
• Vocational, Children’s Activity Leader, one school year, daytime course, approximately 37 hours per week

An enrolment fee is charged for participation in the preparatory courses.

The same applies to participation in the examinations before the external examination board.

According to the statistics of the Ministry of the German-speaking Community, in 2025, five participants received the lower secondary school leaving certificate and nineteen participants received the upper secondary school leaving certificate. A total of 113 persons sat the examinations for one of the two certificates in that year.

Apprenticeship in the Skilled Trades and Crafts Sector and Master Craftsperson Qualification

Pathways for adults into apprenticeships in the skilled trades and crafts sector

The apprenticeship in the skilled trades and crafts sector, or “dual training”, is open to persons from the age of 15, provided they also meet the other entry requirements. In September 2025, the age limit of 29 for concluding an apprenticeship contract was abolished. The decision to commit to a training programme of generally three years, and to organise one’s private life in such a way as to reconcile vocational school and the daily routine of the workplace with any family obligations – while managing on the apprenticeship allowance – is the responsibility of the applicant.

In parallel, adults have the option of completing an apprenticeship or “dual training” as a free student:

Apprentices who meet the following conditions are entitled to submit this application:

• The apprentice must be at least 18 years old (no longer subject to compulsory education).
• A motivation letter from the apprentice must be submitted, explaining why a regular apprenticeship contract could not be concluded and how practical training at the company is nonetheless guaranteed.
• A copy of an employment or training contract of the apprentice with a company corresponding to the apprentice’s vocational training must be submitted. This contract must cover at least 19 hours per week and guarantee the apprentice’s release for classes in specialist and general subjects.

If the free student’s application is approved by the ZAWM and its supervisory authority, the IAWM, the apprentice is formally enrolled and entitled to take examinations (tests, final examinations, practical journeyperson’s examination) and thus, upon successful completion, to obtain the journeyperson’s certificate.

ZAWM  |  IAWM

The pathway to master craftsperson training

Adults may participate in master craftsperson training following the apprenticeship (or the 6th year B). In parallel, there are pathways into master craftsperson training for persons who do not hold a journeyperson’s certificate (or 6B): self-employed managers of a crafts, trade or service enterprise may apply for admission, as may persons who have a specific project for establishing or taking over a business.

The KomAn Project

KomAn

The KomAn project aims to encourage adults to obtain a recognised qualification. Persons who do not hold a vocational qualification but possess practical competences in a trade for which dual training exists in the German-speaking Community have the opportunity to have their practical vocational skills certified. To this end, they participate, among other things, in two practical examinations at the Centre for Training and Continuing Education in the Skilled Trades and Crafts Sector. Upon passing the examination, graduates receive an official attestation (not a journeyperson’s certificate, but a certificate) as proof of their vocational competences, which may open new doors for them on the labour market. The certificate does not currently entitle holders to any examination exemptions or access to dual training or master craftsperson programmes. Nevertheless, some graduates have taken it as an incentive to pursue further qualifications.

Provision targeting the transition to the labour market

The Employment Office of the German-speaking Community (ADG) helps people with their job search and places them in employment. It offers training programmes, internships and projects for vocational and social integration, which it carries out itself or in partnership with other organisations.

Employment Office of the German-speaking Community

Vocational Training and Continuing Education

Jobseekers who are registered with the Employment Office and are supported by a recognised placement service may participate in training and continuing education programmes. This takes place in consultation with the responsible adviser.

The Employment Office offers courses and training in:

• basic competences such as digital skills or language skills
• specialist skills such as basic training as a bricklayer, construction helper or cleaner

Jobseekers may also attend courses offered by other providers in East Belgium as well as in Belgium and abroad.

Participants receive:

• a vocational training contract
• reimbursement of travel expenses
• where applicable, a bonus from the Employment Office

Individual Vocational Training in Companies (IBU)

The IBU is a practical training programme directly within the company. Participants get to know the occupation and the company and receive their training there.

The following persons are eligible to participate:

• persons registered with the Employment Office
• persons with no prior knowledge or qualifications in the occupation to be learned

The IBU usually lasts between four weeks and six months. A contract is concluded between the intern, the employer and the Employment Office. During the IBU, the person continues to receive their replacement income as well as the productivity bonus from the employer. This bonus corresponds to the difference between the replacement income and the wage in the occupation being trained for. After the IBU, the employer undertakes to employ the person as an employee for at least the same period.

The One-Stop Internship

The one-stop internship offers jobseekers, pupils, students and employees the opportunity to gain vocational orientation, discover new employment possibilities and improve their chances on the labour market.

• The duration may range from one day to three months.
• An internship contract is concluded between the participant, the internship host and the Employment Office.
• Under certain conditions, travel expenses and a bonus are provided.

Projects for Vocational and Social Integration

Various preparatory and integration projects are organised in cooperation with project partners. The so-called “preparatory projects” focus on the development of social competences, while the “integration projects” focus on the development of specialist competences.

The workshops provide professional experience in areas such as construction (carpentry, metalwork), landscaping, catering, screen printing and gardening.

These projects are aimed at persons who experience difficulties in finding employment, such as the long-term unemployed, low-skilled workers or migrants. The projects impart vocational and social skills. Company-based internships are often part of the programme. Participants are closely supported by the project partner and the Employment Office.

Participants receive:

• a vocational training contract from the Employment Office
• a bonus
• reimbursement of travel expenses

Provision of Liberal (Popular) Adult Education

Although there is no universal definition of the term “liberal (or popular) adult education”, the concept generally refers to courses that are non-formal in nature and provide opportunities for personal development, cultural enrichment as well as intellectual or creative stimulation and enjoyment. Throughout Europe, this type of provision is referred to by different names. In the German-speaking Community of Belgium, these are known as the “recognised adult education organisations”. There are currently 12 such organisations in East Belgium.

The Decree of 2008 on the promotion of adult education organisations provides that the recognised adult education organisations are open to all citizens without restriction, so that they may acquire, develop or update their key competences. The aim is also to promote social inclusion, equal opportunities in the broadest sense, collective capacity for action and civic-mindedness, as well as the learning of fundamental social and civic values.

The adult education organisations are free to design their own curricula and to select their instructors and staff. The thematic priorities of the non-formal adult education organisations also vary, covering areas such as nature and the environment, women’s education, physical activity and health, and socio-political education.

Other Types of Publicly Funded Provision for Adult Learners

In addition to the more “classical” adult education provision, the German-speaking Community funds a wide range of additional programmes aimed at adult learners.

These include, for example, the continuing education programmes of:

• the Continuing Education Academy of the ZAWM (occupation-related continuing education)
• the Autonomous University College (pedagogical education)
• the Academy of Music (music, dance and theatre)
• the Creative Workshops (cultural education)
• the Media Centre (digital education)
• the Nursing Association (KPVDB)
• the Leading Association of East Belgian Sports
• youth organisations
• as well as other health and social institutions.

Ostbelgien Bildung – Providers and fields in East Belgium