2025

Extension of initial teacher training from 3 to 4 years

In September 2025, the reformed initial teacher training programme will be launched. The bachelor's degree has been completely revised in terms of content and will now have a standard duration of four years instead of the previous three.

Changes to credit points for teaching qualifications

From 1 September 2025, changes will be introduced to the credit points required for the teaching qualifications “Lehrbefähigung Pädagogik” (CAP+) and “Pädagogischer Befähigungsnachweis” (CAP). These changes apply to the Autonome Hochschule (AHS). The adjustments have been made to better align the training with the needs of schools. As a result, the number of ECTS credits for the CAP will increase to 15, and for the CAP+ to 30.

2024

New bachelor's degree in social work 

Since 1 September 2024, the Autonome Hochschule (AHS) Ostbelgien has been offering a new bachelor's programme: the Bachelor in Social Work. Graduates of this three-year programme are entitled to use the protected professional title "social worker".

Extension of eligibility for DuO training grant 

The decree of 26 June 2023 establishing a fund for interest-free loans for apprentices, students, and pupils in shortage occupations enables financial support for individuals training in a recognised shortage profession. 

The promotion of public health and the right to as unrestricted access as possible to healthcare for all citizens have prompted an expansion of DuO training grant for shortage occupations in the healthcare sector. Given the wide variety of healthcare training programmes across different EU member states, DuO training grant is being extended to include EU-wide recognised qualifications in accordance with EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Training courses in general nursing, midwifery, and pharmacy have been added as programmes eligible for the interest-free loan. For these professions, Directive 2005/36/EC sets out uniform minimum training requirements. The directive ensures a certain quality of education and allows for better comparability. Annex V of the same EU directive lists all diplomas from member states that meet these minimum requirements and thus benefit from automatic recognition in other EU member states.

The extension of eligibility for DuO training grant came into effect on 1 July 2024.

2023

DuO

To address the skilled labor shortage, the Government of the German-speaking Community aims to implement a combination of several measures. By introducing the DuO training grant (short for "You and East Belgium"), modeled after initiatives in South Tyrol and some Austrian federal states, more candidates are to be attracted to pursue studies or training in so-called shortage occupations and, at the same time, be tied to the East Belgium region.

The government established a budget fund through the decree of 26 June 2023. Through this fund, apprentices or students who are no longer subject to compulsory schooling and who are enrolled at an institution of higher education recognized by the German-speaking Community with the goal of obtaining a journeyman’s certificate, a practitioner’s certificate, a brevet, or a bachelor’s degree, or who have concluded a training contract with a recognized training company in the German-speaking Community via the Institut für Aus- und Weiterbildung im Mittelstand (IAWM), may be granted a DuO training grant under certain conditions.

As part of the commitment to public health and the right to access healthcare for all citizens, the interest-free loan scheme was extended to cover the six-year basic training of medical and dental students at a state-recognised institution of higher education within the European Union, another contracting state of the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.

In addition, pupils who are officially enrolled in the seventh year of vocational secondary education and are following a course of study in a shortage occupation may also apply for the interest-free loan. This ensures that there is no unequal treatment between apprenticeship training in the SME sector and vocational secondary education.

The DuO training grant is accessible to all EU citizens and certain non-EU citizens who wish to study at a higher education institution in the German-speaking Community or complete SME-based vocational training within the German-speaking Community, provided they meet the respective admission requirements. As no medical or dental studies are offered in the German-speaking Community, students in these fields must have been residing in the German-speaking Community for at least six months at the time of their first application in order to establish a connection to the region.

As part of the DuO training grant scheme, the government publishes an annual list—by no later than 30 June—of study programmes, training courses, and study tracks in mainstream secondary education that prepare for shortage occupations and therefore entitle students to receive an interest-free loan. The shortage occupations are defined each year by the minister responsible for employment, based on an analysis provided by the Employment Office. These shortage occupations particularly include teaching, nursing, and skilled trades.

In line with the minimum compensation system for apprentices, the amount of the interest-free loan has been set at a monthly payment of €350 for the entire duration of the standard period of study or the regular duration of the training contract. However, a maximum extension of one year is possible.

This is a new financial aid, provided in addition to existing support measures such as study grants for pupils and students. In the case of apprenticeship training and dual bachelor programmes, the compensation paid by the training company to the apprentice may be combined with the interest-free loan. The same applies to the start and internship bonus for apprentices, which is regulated by the Royal Decree of 1 September 2006, provided the apprentice is undergoing training in a shortage occupation.

The loan received does not have to be repaid if the borrowers work for at least five years (in some cases reduced to three years) in a minimum half-time position within the German-speaking Community within ten years after completing their studies or training. The idea behind this is that borrowers become familiar with the benefits of working in our Community and, as a result, will continue to be available to the labor market of the German-speaking Community even after the mandatory period has ended.

New Bachelor’s Degree Program – Social Work

In September of last year, preparations for the Bachelor’s degree program in “Social Work” at the Autonome Hochschule were resumed following interruptions caused by the pandemic. A representative from the Autonome Hochschule has been assigned to develop the course content and establish the program. This process is supported and accompanied by a steering committee consisting of members of my cabinet, staff from the education administration, and leadership from the Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien.

The curriculum will be developed by the Autonome Hochschule Ostbelgien (AHS) in collaboration with the Haute Ecole Libre Mosane (HELMo), which will provide support and advisory functions. HELMo, as a higher education institution with many years of experience in social work training, will advise the AHS on content-related questions regarding the program and assist with the recruitment of lecturers.

The originally planned cooperation with the Catholic University of Aachen was discontinued, as it became clear that knowledge of the French language—especially technical terminology—and Belgian legislation for social workers in Ostbelgien is indispensable. These crucial skills are explicitly expected by social sector employers in Ostbelgien from graduates.

The curriculum will be oriented toward the practical fields and areas of work in social work. The program will impart skills for working with clients and institutions and enable students to analyze the origins of social problems. In addition to a broad scientific foundation, students will primarily acquire practical methodological knowledge and skills, always maintaining close ties to professional practice. The collaboration with HELMo also offers many advantages here, such as support in securing internship placements to deepen acquired competencies.

To facilitate entry into the Ostbelgien labor market, the program will also integrate components specifically tailored to the employment situation and needs of the various institutions in the German-speaking Community.