Brussels – Despite being entitled to five days of training annually under the 2022 Employment Deal, only four in ten Belgian workers (41.1%) intend to take advantage of this opportunity in 2024, according to a study commissioned by Acerta, a leading human resources services provider.
The study, published on Sunday, surveyed 500 employers and 2,000 workers, shedding light on the reluctance of employees to utilise their allocated training days. It revealed that nearly one in ten workers (9.7%) has no interest in participating in any training whatsoever.
Challenges in Implementing the Employment Deal
Providing five full days of training per worker remains a challenge for many Belgian companies. The study found that only 43.7% of surveyed businesses offer this option to their employees, while almost half (49.2%) provide between one and four training days.
This disparity suggests that the intended professional development opportunities under the Employment Deal have yet to be fully realised.
The deadline for companies with at least 20 employees to submit their training plans is fast approaching. Employers must finalise and submit their plans by the end of March, underscoring the urgency for businesses to comply with the regulation.
Obstacles to Training Participation
The survey did not pinpoint specific reasons why many workers are not using their training entitlement, but experts suggest several possible factors. These include a lack of awareness, insufficient training programs tailored to employees’ needs, and operational constraints that make it difficult for workers to take time off for learning.
Moreover, while employers may acknowledge the importance of workforce development, some struggle with logistical challenges, such as scheduling disruptions and financial constraints associated with organising extensive training sessions.
Policy Adjustments on the Horizon
The newly formed federal coalition government remains committed to upholding workers’ individual training rights. However, a significant change is expected in the administration of these rights.
Acerta noted that the government intends to abolish the mandatory registration in the Federal Learning Account, which currently requires employers to log training sessions in a centralised system.
Instead, authorities are considering a less bureaucratic approach to reduce administrative burdens on companies while ensuring employees retain their right to training.
Acerta welcomed this proposed reform, stating that easing administrative requirements would encourage more businesses to implement training initiatives effectively.
The Future of Workplace Training in Belgium
While the Employment Deal’s five-day training entitlement represents a step toward a more skilled workforce, its success hinges on greater participation from both employees and employers.
Encouraging workers to take advantage of training opportunities and simplifying compliance procedures for businesses will be crucial in achieving the policy’s objectives.
As the March deadline looms, all eyes are on Belgian companies to see whether they can bridge the gap between entitlement and uptake.
The ongoing policy adjustments may offer a more efficient framework for professional development in the country, but the ultimate measure of success will be how well employees and businesses embrace these opportunities in practice.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
