Public employment and training aid in Belgium

Wallonia offers several schemes depending on the worker's status and the intended goal. For employees: the Training Voucher, the Adaptation Credit (including its Mentoring component), and the Professional Experience Fund. To train a prospective employee within a company: the Training-Integration Plan (PFI). For worker-initiated training: the Paid Education Leave. Sectoral funds complement this scheme. Furthermore, under certain conditions, employers can retain up to 11.75% of the professional withholding tax on the salaries of employees undergoing non-mandatory training, provided it is of sufficient duration and fully funded by the employer.

Brussels offers the Training Grant, accessible to eligible Brussels SMEs. It covers 40% to 80% of training costs, with a maximum of €5,000 per training course. Eligible topics include economic development, transition, languages, management, technical and legal matters. Increased funding is possible depending on the company's profile (starter, development zone, social or environmental exemplary status). Applications must be submitted via MonBEE before the training begins.

Flanders has several support mechanisms. VLAIO's Strategische Transformatiesteun (STS) supports strategic transformation projects combining investments and training: the aid can cover up to 20% of accepted training costs, with a maximum amount of €500,000.

The KMO-portefeuille subsidizes professionalization training for Flemish SMEs (topics: strategy, digitalization, sustainability, internationalization, specific skills). Applications must be submitted within 14 days of the start of the courses to a registered provider. Sectoral funds offer additional leverage: free or subsidized training, sectoral grants, planning support.