Flanders is set to modernise technical and vocational education by strengthening ties between schools and the labour market. From 1 September 2025 onward, secondary education will integrate learning and work, aligning dual learning with full-time programmes. The government is also monitoring industry-linked organisations and evaluating subsidies to ensure effective skills training. Additional funding will help lower costs in technical, artistic, and vocational education, making these pathways more accessible. These reforms aim to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in a changing job market.

Flanders is set to strengthen its technical and vocational education system by fostering closer collaboration between education and the labour market. A key milestone in this reform will take effect on 1 September 2025, when the entire secondary education system undergoes modernisation, including the integration of learning and work.

This initiative is particularly crucial for dual learning, it ensures that these pathways are fully aligned with full-time, non-dual education. Schools will have a significant opportunity to expand their offerings in this area.

The Department of Education and Training in Flanders is actively exploring ways to broaden and sustain dual learning while also working to enhance its public perception. As part of this effort, the government is monitoring organisations that strengthen the connection between education and the labour market. These organisations focus on guiding students towards technical and vocational education and equipping them with the skills needed to work with specialised techniques, equipment, and industry-specific applications.

The effectiveness of subsidies allocated to these initiatives will be evaluated at the end of their term. In a further move to support students, additional operational funding will be allocated to technical, artistic, and vocational secondary education, helping to reduce study costs. 

The Department is also reviewing the most cost-intensive study programmes to ensure that these additional funds are effectively utilised, ultimately making education more affordable for students pursuing careers in technical and artistic fields.

With these measures, Flanders aims to create a more dynamic and accessible technical and vocational education system, better equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in an evolving labour market.

Source: Eurydice Unit Belgium (Flemish Community)