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Eurydice

EACEA National Policies Platform:Eurydice

Belgium - German-Speaking Community

In 2012, the Council of the European Union called on member states to establish recognition systems for informally and non-formally acquired competencies. These are skills and competencies that individuals gain outside the traditional educational path, for example:

  • In professional life
  • Through further training
  • In voluntary association work
  • Through hobbies and personal interests

In East Belgium, the validation of non-formal and informal learning is implemented through two measures:

Labour Office (ADG- Arbeitsamt der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft)

The Labour Office of the German-speaking Community (ADG) took over the tasks of FOREM after its establishment in 2000. It now manages four of its own training centres and also works with several companies where training projects are carried out locally.

From 1840 onwards, adult education establishments or Sunday schools offered citizens the opportunity of getting through primary education. Gradually, this structure was abolished by the establishment of compulsory school attendance.

2024

Since September 2024, a working group has been meeting, involving subsidized adult education institutions, with the goal of advancing the reduction of bureaucracy in non-formal adult education. 

2025

The reformed initial teacher training programme will be launched in September 2025. The Bachelor's degree curriculum has been completely revised and will, going forward, have a standard duration of four years instead of the previous three.

2024

New bachelor’s degree in social work 

2024

The government has approved the following new or updated training programs for the 2024-2025 academic year: 

  • Mechatronics Technician for Agricultural, Forestry, Gardening, and Construction Machinery (G06/2024), 

2024

Since 1st January 2024, the Centre for Childcare (ZKB) has replaced the former Regional Centre for Early Childcare (RZKB) association. The ZKB combines early childhood and out-of-school care as well as holiday care in one centre. The centre establishes, organises and supports childcare facilities in the German-speaking Community for all children up to the end of primary school.