The role of subnational governments in adult skills systems: Belgium

This country note provides an overview of the governance of the adult skills system in Belgium. It is part of an extensive review of all 38 OECD countries. The main findings across all countries are summarised in the OECD policy paper The Role of Subnational Governments in Adult Skills Systems. Representatives from the Belgium government reviewed the country note in March 2025 and it was published in June 2025.

Table 1. Overall governance and expenditure structure

Governance structure	Levels of governance	% of general government expenditure at the sub-national level
Federal	National: Federale overheid, Gouvernement fédéral Regional: Regions, gewesten (3), communautés, gemeenschappen(3), Sub-regional: provinces, provincies(10) Local: Communes, gemeenten (581)	49%
How is the adult skills system governed?
Centralised	Combined system	Decentralised ✓

Note: 36.6% of the general government expenditure at subnational level is allocated to the state (regions and communities) level, while 12,4% is allocated to the local level. For more information on the definitions of the governance models, please see (OECD, 2025[1]).

Source: (OECD/UCLG, 2022[2])

How is the adult skills system governed?

Belgium’s adult learning system is characterised by a decentralised governance structure, with responsibilities distributed across federal and regional levels (Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels Capital Region) and within the Dutch, French and German-speaking communities. The federal level primarily focuses on overarching policies, framework and co-ordination, while the regions/communities are responsible for the implementation and delivery of adult education and training programmes.

• At the national level, the Federal Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue is the competent authority for social dialogue, labour law, unemployment insurance, and some parts of labour workplace inspections. The Ministry has limited involvement in the design and implementation of adult skills policies and does not oversee national strategies on workforce development, employment, and education. However, the Law for individual training rights from 2022 stipulates that every full-time employee has an individual training right. It applies both to formal and informal training directly related to work.

• The community governments (Dutch, French and German-speaking) and regional governments (the Flemish Region, the Brussels-Capital Region and the Walloon Region) are primarily responsible for implementing adult skills policies. They manage specific regional needs, funding distribution, training providers and direct delivery of education and training as well as ALMPs. In practice, the responsibilities for adult skills policies are closely linked to the regions’ territorial needs, but the communities cut across the territories (e.g. the Flemish Community refers to both the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders and the Dutch-speaking part of Brussels).

• At the local level, municipalities support the local delivery of adult education, vocational training, and employment services by partnering with regional agencies or local education providers (e.g., adult education centres, or social economy entities).

Table 2. Allocation of responsibilities across policy areas and levels of government

		Strategy	Intelligence	Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Policy area	National level
	VET, HVET	-	✓	-	✓	-
	CET	-	✓	-	✓	-
	AE	-	✓	✓	✓	-
	ALMP	-	✓	✓	✓	-
	Regional level
	VET, HVET	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	CET	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	AE	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	ALMP	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
	Local level
	VET, HVET	-	-	✓	-	✓
	CET	-	-	✓	-	✓
	AE	-	-	✓	-	✓
	ALMP	-	-	✓	-	✓

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Note: For more information on exact definitions of policy areas and responsibilities, please see (OECD, 2025[1]).

Infographic 1. Overview of the adult skills system

Note: Colour code: Dark blue → government/national/subnational agencies, Green → social partners, Lighter blue → private actors and education providers, Yellow → Expert councils/foundations/associations/research institutions. For more information, please see (OECD, 2025[1])

Source: OECD compilation based on available information.

Stakeholders and responsibilities at the national level

At the national level, the following stakeholders participate in the adult skills system:

• The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue have strategic and regulatory responsibility for policies related to Active Labour Market Policies (ALMPs), Vocational education and Training (VET), Higher VET (HVET), Continuous Education and Training (CET) and adult education (AE). The National Employment Office operates under the ministry to manage services related to unemployment benefits and some aspects of labour market policies as well as HVET, VET, CET and AE policies.

• A range of expert councils and research institutions, including High Council for Work.

• Social partners are actively involved in shaping policies and employment-related measures, which are often negotiated and formalised through sectoral agreements.

Table 3. Stakeholders and responsibilities at the national level

Name of institution	Responsibilities					Organisation type	Areas	Description
	Strategy	Intelligence	Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Ministry	ALMP	The Ministry is responsible for policies related to labour market issues, unemployment benefits and ALMPs. It oversees national-level strategies that affect the workforce and employment and is responsible for allocating funding for ALMPs to the regional Public Employment Services (VDAB, FOREM and Actiris). However, it has limited involvement in the implementation and delivery of education and training programmes, which is managed by the regional level. The Ministry is also responsibility for collecting and analysing labour market intelligence.
The National Employment Office	-	✓	✓	✓	-	National agency	ALMP	This is a federal institution that primarily manages services related to unemployment benefits and some aspects of labour market policies at the national level. It manages the national unemployment insurance system and is responsible for determining eligibility, calculating and disbursing unemployment benefits. It plays a strategic role in ALMPs through the development of national initiatives or financial support for regional programmes. It may provide federal services in addition to services provided regionally
The High Council for Work	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert Council	ALMP	The Council is a consultative body focused on employment policies and the labour market in Belgium. It role is to provide recommendations and advice to both the federal government and regional governments on employment, labour market issues and work-related education. It also facilitates social dialogue between employers’ organisations, trade unions and government representatives. The Council operates under the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue and its members includes social partners and government representatives.
Social partners	-	✓	-	-	-	Social partners	VET HVET ALMP	Social partners are actively involved in shaping strategies, policies, and employment-related measures, which are negotiated and formalised through sectoral agreements. They contribute directly to the organisation of apprenticeship programs and VET/HVET.

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Source: OECD compilation based on (Cedefop, 2021[3]) (Cedefop, Bruxelles Formation, 2022[4]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[5]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[6]) (Cedefop, 2024[7]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2025[8])

Stakeholders and responsibilities at the regional and community level

At the regional level, the governance of adult learning policies is mostly managed by the community governments and the regional governments:

• VET, HVET CET and AE:

  • The French-speaking community, through the Féderation Wallonie-Bruxelles (FWB) in co-operation with regional governments (e.g. the Walloon Ministry of Education and the Brussels Ministry of Education and Youth) is responsible for AE, CET, VET and HVET policies for French-speaking residents in Wallonia and Brussels. The FWB oversees vocational programmes, including adult education centres (CEA) and higher education institutions operating at the local level.

  • In the Dutch-speaking community, the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training (community ministry) and the Flemish Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy (regional ministry), manages AE, CET, VET and HVET for Dutch-speaking residents (and non-Dutch speaking residents who live in the area but does not yet speak the language) in Flanders and Brussels.

  • In the German-speaking community, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports oversees adult education and vocational training for German-speaking residents in the eastern part of Wallonia (i.e. the German-speaking region).

• ALMPs: Each region or community has its own public employment service that delivers ALMPs to job seekers, employed individuals, and employers. In Flanders, VDAB provides training, job placement and career guidance, often in cooperation with the adult education centres (CVOs); in Wallonia, Le FOREM provides ALMPs, adult education and vocational programmes for the French-speaking population; in the Brussels Capital Region, Bruxelles Formation serves the French-speaking population of Brussels while VDAB serves the Dutch-speaking population.

Table 4. Stakeholders and responsibilities at the regional level

Name of institution	Responsibilities					Organisation type	Areas	Description
	Strategy	Intelligence	Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Flanders
Flemish Ministry of Education and Training (Vlaams Ministerie van Onderwijs en Vorming)	✓	-	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET HVET CET AE	The Ministry is responsible for the overall adult education system in Flanders, including VET, HVET, CET and AE. The Ministry has significant implementation, funding and delivery responsibilities. It develops the curriculum for education and training programmes, accredits and funds institutions offering education and training programmes, co-ordinates lifelong learning strategies for the regional territory and is responsible for direct delivery of vocational education programmes and CET initiatives. While it is responsible for setting regional strategies, the overall strategic framework remains a federal responsibility.
Flemish Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy (WEWIS)	✓	-	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET ALMP	The Ministry is primarily responsible for designing and implementing ALMPs to increase adults' employability. These policies often include skills development programmes to improve workforce readiness. The Ministry funds and supports various vocational training programmes, often in cooperation with the Flemish Employment and Vocational Training Agency. It may also provide financial incentives for employers to hire and train employees. The Flemish apprenticeship system is a joint responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy. It may also provide financial incentives for apprentices and their employers. The Ministry also promotes the development of the social economy in Flanders. The Department also houses the Expertise Centre for Innovative Learning Pathways, which aims to develop further into a demand-driven expertise centre at the intersection of research, policy, and practice in the coming years, building and providing expertise in an accessible manner. Focus will lie on informing and raising awareness with citizens, and professionalising bridge figures, optimising the impact of learning (impactful learning pathways), and further developing data, monitoring, and research on lifelong learning in Flanders.
Flemish Employment and Vocational Training Agency (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding) (VDAB)	-	✓	✓	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET CET AE ALMP	VDAB is the PES in Flanders, operating under the Flemish Ministry of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy with a main focus on supporting job seekers and employers through skills development, job placement and labour market integration. It provides vocational training and skills development programmes for the unemployed and non-professionally active, up- and reskilling programmes for workers, and customised training for adults with limited skills. It is actively involved in the design and delivery of ALMPs and it also facilitates CET and AE programmes for adult learners. VDAB collects and analyses labour market data to inform the design of programmes.
The Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications and Study grants (AHOVOKS)	-	-	✓	✓		Subnational agency	HVET AE	The agency sorts under the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training, and oversees the higher education system in Flanders, including universities and professional higher education institutions. The agency also plays a role in adult education (particularly for adult swishing to complete secondary education or gain new qualifications). It is responsible for the recognition of prior learning obtained in other countries, for providing strategic oversight of funding allocation in the field of AE, for coordinating development and updating of educational objectives across policy areas, and finally for awarding grants to students of adult education.
Flemish Support Center for Adult Education – (VOCVO)	-	-	-	-	✓	Subnational agency	AE	The Flemish Support Centre for Adult Education operates under the Ministry of Education and Training to provide a wide range of general and vocational education for adults. They offer programmes in fields like languages, literacy, career development and vocational skills.
Flemish Education Council (VLOR)	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert council	VET HVET ALMP	The Flemish Education Council is the official advisory body for education and training policy in the Flemish Community. It brings together various education and training stakeholders and social partners to collaborate on improving the education system in Flanders. The council provides formal opinions and supports implementing new government education initiatives practically.
Social and Economic Council of Flanders (SERV, Sociaal-Economische Raad van Vlaanderen).	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert council	VET HVET ALMP	SERV is the official advisory body on work, economy, energy, and (vocational) education and training. It organizes bipartite or dual consultations between employers' and employees' organisations.
Flemish Economic Social Consultative Committee (VESOC)	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert council	VET ALMP	VESOC is a tripartite body that serves as a forum for policy discussions between social partners and the Flemish government. It addresses socio-economic issues within the competencies of the Flemish Community or Region that may require government intervention. These discussions can lead to official agreements.
Wallonia
Walloon Ministry of Education	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET HVET CET AE	The Ministry oversee adult education and training, including VET and HVET, CET and AE in Wallonia. This includes setting standards, accrediting providers and funding programmes. The Ministry also manages the recognition of prior learning. The Ministry oversees adult education institutions, including the Social Promotion Schools.
Walloon Ministry of Employment and Training	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET ALMP	The Ministry is responsible for overseeing both employment and skills development programmes. It is responsible for creating and funding ALMPs and oversees vocational education and training programmes for adults in Wallonia.
Ministry of Education and Training for French-Speaking Community (FWB)	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET HVET CET AE	The Ministry manages the adult education system for the French-speaking community in Wallonia and Brussels. It is responsible for creating the strategic framework and legislative framework for education programmes. It also oversees the development of Vet, CET and other skills development programmes aimed at adults.
Walloon Public Employment Service (Le Forem)	-	✓	✓	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET CET AE ALMP	Le Forem is the regional public employment and vocational training provider in Wallonia. It plays a key role in supporting jobseekers and workers through the implementation of training programs. The agency sorts under the Walloon Ministry of Employment and Training. It offers vocational courses leading to partial or full qualifications and specialised training focusing on adult education. Its initiatives include prequalification, qualification, and integration pathways designed to help those furthest from employment.
Walloon Agency for Vocational Training (AFPPS)	-	-	✓	-	-	Subnational agency	VET	The agency coordinates and supports vocational training programmes for adults in Wallonia. It ensures that the training offered matches the labour market's needs and prepares adults for specific professions. It is also involved in the accreditation of adult training centres.
Walloon Institute for dual training and self-employment in SMEs (IFAPME)	-	-	✓	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET	The Institute operates under the Walloon Ministry of Economy and focuses on vocational training for individuals aspiring to work in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or as self-employed professionals. It operates centres across Wallonia and offers programs designed to enhance skills, preparing participants to succeed either as entrepreneurs or employees within SMEs.
University Colleges (Haute École)	-	-	✓	-	✓	Education providers	HVET	University Colleges offer HVET programmes in Wallonia, providing HVET degrees in multiple fields. The colleges are overseen and managed by the Féderation Wollonie-Bruxelles (FWB), which is responsible for educational regulation for the French-speaking community. The Ministry of Education oversee vocational education at the higher level.
Walloon Economic and Social Council (CESW)	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert Council	VET HVET CET AE ALMP	This is an advisory body that facilitates social dialogue and provides recommendations to the Walloon government on economic and social matters, including policies related to education and training.
Brussels Capital Region
Brussels Ministry of Education and Youth (Ministère de l’Éducation et de la Jeunessei))	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET HVET CET AE	The Ministry is responsible for overseeing and shaping educational policies for the German-speaking population in the Brussels-Capital Region, including VET, HVET, CET and AE. It works on the curriculum design for education and training programmes, promotes lifelong learning in the region and provides funding and guidance to adult education institutions and programmes.
Ministry of Education and Training for French-Speaking Community (FWB)	✓	✓	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET HVET CET AE	The Ministry manages the adult education system for the French-speaking community in Wallonia and Brussels.
Bruxelles Institute for Training (Bruxelles Formation)	-	-	✓	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET CET AE	Bruxelles Formation is the regional public vocational training provider for French speakers in the Brussels-Capital Region. It offers training programs that lead to partial or full qualifications or target specific needs, such as language skills. The agency is also responsible for implementing AE policies in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Brussels Public Employment Service (Actiris)	-	✓	✓	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET ALMP	Actiris is the Brussels Public Employment Service responsible for helping jobseekers find employment and offering career guidance and support for workers transitioning between jobs. Actiris implements ALMPS and provides a variety of VET programmes aimed at improving the skills of unemployed adults for employers, Actiris provides support in recruitment, assistance with job postings, and advice on labour laws, and organises job fairs. Additionally, it offers training and hiring incentives to support workforce development in the region.
Small and Medium-sized Companies Training Service (Service de Formation des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises )	-	✓	-	✓	✓	Subnational agency	VET CET	The agency aims at supporting SMEs by providing training and skills development programmes for their employees. It offers a variety of vocational training programmes as well as financial assistance to SMEs that wish to offer training for their employees. The agency operates under the Ministry of Employment, Vocational Training and Social Economy.
French-speaking service for jobs and qualifications (Service francophone des métiers et des qualifications)	-	✓	-	-	-	Foundation	VET CET	A collaborative initiative established through an agreement between the French Community, the Walloon Region, and the French Community Commission in Brussels. It unites stakeholders from employment, vocational education, training, and skills validation sectors. It develops training and job profiles that outline the competencies required for specific professions and serve as legal references. It also contributes to mapping qualifications within the qualifications framework, ensuring alignment between education, training, and labour market needs.
The Brussels Economic and Social Council (CES Brussels)	-	✓	-	-	-	Expert Council	VET HVET CET AE ALMP	The Council acts as a consultative body to the Brussels-Capital government on issues related to economic and social policies, including those that impact education and labour market policies. It facilitates social dialogue between employers, employees and government representatives.
German-speaking Community
Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (Ministerium für Bildung, Kultur, Jugend und Sport)	✓	-	-	✓	-	Subnational government	VET CET AE ALMP	The Ministry is responsible for the entire education system sin the German-speaking region. It oversees primary and secondary education, vocational education and training and higher education as well as adult education. It directly manages education within the German-speaking part of Belgium (primarily in the eastern part of Wallonia).
University College of Eupen (Hochschule Eupen)	-		-	-	✓	Education provider	HVET	The University College Eupen is the primary higher education institution offering higher vocational education and training in the German-speaking community.
Training centres for Vocational and Adult Education	-		-	-	✓	Education providers	VET CET AE	There are various vocational education and training centres and adult education providers in the German-speaking community offering training programmes for adults.
Public Employment Service (Arbeitsamt der Deutschprachigen Gemeninschaft)	-		✓	-	✓	Education provider	VET ALMP	The PES in the German-speaking community is responsible for helping job seekers find employment and providing career guidance.
Institute for Training and Continuing Education in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (IWS)	-	✓	-	-	-	Subnational agency	VET CET	The Institute is an agency under the German-speaking Community’, which oversees apprenticeship programs. It operates two training centres and collaborates with local businesses, professional associations, and economic stakeholders.

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Source: OECD compilation based on (OECD, 2015[9]) (OECD, 2020[10]) (Cedefop, Bruxelles Formation, 2022[4]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[6]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[11]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[12]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[13]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[14]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[15]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[12]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[16]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[17]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[18]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[19]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[20]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[21]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[22]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[17]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[23]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[24]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[25]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2023[26]) (Cedefop, 2024[7]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2024[27]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2024[28]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2024[29]) (European Commission, Eurydice, 2025[8]) (AHOVOKS, n.d.[30]) (AHOVOKS, n.d.[31]) (European Commission, EPALE, n.d.[32]) (L'interfede, n.d.[33]) (Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, n.d.[34]) (SERV, n.d.[35]) (Sfpme, Efp, n.d.[36]) (Vlor, n.d.[37])

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Stakeholders and responsibilities at the local level

The local governance level in Belgium is the 581 municipalities (communes/gemeenten):

• In all three regions, municipalities play an important supportive role in delivering vocational training, adult education, and employment services. They work with various stakeholders, including regional agencies and local education providers (e.g., adult education centres), to ensure that local communities have access to education and skills development opportunities.

• Adult education centres such as CVOs (in Flanders), EPS (in Wallonia) and CEAs (in Brussels for French speakers) operate at the local level but are accredited by the relevant community/regional government. These centres tend to provide adult education, CET and some VET courses. In addition, HVET programmes are provided by University Colleges (Hogescholen in the Dutch and German-speaking Communities and Haute Écoles in the French-speaking communities).

• All Public Employment Services have local offices in the three regions/communities to provide ALMPs and, often, vocational training programmes to job seekers, employed individuals, and employers.

• Social economy entities, including social enterprises, play a central role in providing training services for marginalised populations in all parts of the country.

• Companies and organisations involved in workplace-based learning play an important role in delivering vocational training and (adult) education (dual learning, qualification trajectories)

Table 5. Stakeholders and responsibilities at the local level

Name of institution	Responsibilities						Organisation type	Areas	Description
	Strategy	Intelligence		Implementation	Funding	Delivery
Flanders (including Dutch-speaking Community)
Municipalities	-		-	✓	-	-	Subnational government	CET AE	In Flanders, municipalities are typically not directly responsible for the implementation of education policies, but they plan an important supportive role in providing access to services and ensuring coordination, e.g. through local partnerships. Some municipalities may partner with adult education centres or run their own municipal adult education centres.
VDAB	-		-	✓	-	-	Subnational agency	ALMP	The regional PES has local offices spread across the region that offer tailored services to both job seekers, employed individuals and employers.
SYNTRA Centres	-		-	-	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET HVET ALMP	SYNTRA centres provide vocational training for jobseekers, employees, self-employed individuals and SMEs in both the Brussels and Flemish Regions. The network consists of five training centres with nineteen SYNTRA campuses in Flanders and Brussels. They are supported by subsidies from the Flemish Government and receive additional funding from European and Flemish initiatives for specific projects.
Centres for part-time education (Centra voor deeltjids onderwijs)	-		-	-	-	✓	Education provider	VET AE	These centres provide education in a flexible format for adults who need to balance education with work or other commitments. They offer vocational education, secondary education and adult basic education. The Flemish Ministry of Education and Training oversees the daily operations of the schools.
University colleges (Hogescholen)	-		-	-	-	✓	Education provider	HVET	University colleges are higher education institutions that offer a wide range of vocational programmes leading to HVET degrees. Some programmes are designed as dual learning programmes, which combine theoretical education with work experience. The colleges are overseen by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Social economy organisations	-		-	-	-	✓	Education providers	AE	Local social economy organisations offer training and work integration services for marginalised populations. They often operate locally.
Wallonia (French-speaking Community)
Municipalities	-		-	✓	-	✓	Subnational government	VET CET AE	In Wallonia, municipalities implement education-related services and promote adult education, VET and ALMPs. They often host adult education centres (EPS) and vocational training centres and they cooperate with the PES to ensure access to ALMPs in local communities. They are also key in supporting social inclusion and integration through training programmes
Le Forem	-		-	✓	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET CET ALMP	The PES operates local offices that provide tailored services to jobseekers, employed and employers. It runs its own training centres across Wallonia, providing vocational training, retraining programmes an professional development opportunities. These centres are often located in municipalities and focus on meeting the specific needs of the local labour market.
Adult education centers (Écoles de Promotion Sociale, EPS)	-		-	-	-	✓	Education provider	CET AE	These centres offer a broad range of general education, vocational training and skills development programmes to adults. This includes literacy courses, basic education, language learning and career-oriented courses. There are 162 establishment in the French-speaking Community
Vocational and Technical Training Institutions	-		-	✓	-	✓	Education provider	VET	There are various institutions that offer vocational training in fields such as healthcare, IT, engineering, manufacturing etc. These institutions may operate independently or under the guidance of regional bodies like AFPPs or FOREM.
Social economy organisations	-		-	-	-	✓	Education providers	AE	Social economy organisations provide training and work integration for marginalised groups at the local level.
University Colleges (Haute École)	-		-	-	-	✓	Education provider	HVET	University Colleges deliver HVET programmes in various fields.
Brussels (including French-speaking community)
Municipalities	-		-	✓	-	✓	Subnational government	CET AE	In Brussels, municipalities play an important role in providing access to education and training programmes. They cooperate with Brussels Formation and other local educational providers to offer training programmes for adults and they host vocational training services and adult education programmes at the local level.
Bruxelles Formation	-		-	✓	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET CET AE ALMP	The agency operates a network of local training centres through Brussels, providing access to vocational training and adult education programmes for the French-speaking population in Brussels
VDAB	-		-	-	-	✓	Subnational agency	VET ALMP	The agency operates local offices in Brussels, providing vocational training and employment services to the Dutch-speaking population of Brussels.
Adult Education Centres (CEA)	-		-	-	-	✓	Education providers	CET AE	These institutions provide general adult education programmes, including literacy courses, basic education and language training, aimed at helping adults who did not complete their formal education
Vocational and Technical Training Providers	-		-	-	-	✓	Education providers	VET	Various institutions offer vocational training programmes designed to help adult gains the skills required by local industries.
University Colleges (Haute École)	-		-	-	-	✓	Education provider	HVET	University Colleges deliver HVET programmes in various fields in the Brussels Capital-Region. The colleges are overseen by the Ministry of Education
Social economy organisations	-		-	-	-	✓	Education providers	AE	Social economy organisations provide training and work integration for marginalised groups at the local level.

Legend: ✓ = Yes; - = No

Source: OECD compilation based on (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, n.d.[38])

References

[30] AHOVOKS (n.d.), Overview, https://www.vlaanderen.be/ahovoks.

[31] AHOVOKS (n.d.), Services AHOVOKS, https://www.vlaanderen.be/ahovoks/dienstverlening.

[7] Cedefop (2024), Spotlight on VET: Belgium, https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/8146_en_0.pdf.

[3] Cedefop (2021), Spotlight on VET - 2020 compilation: vocational education and training systems in Europe, https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/publications/4189.

[4] Cedefop, Bruxelles Formation (2022), Vocational education and training in Europe - Belgium: system description, https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/vet-in-europe/systems/belgium-u2.

[32] European Commission, EPALE (n.d.), Vovco, https://epale.ec.europa.eu/fr/node/17090.

[8] European Commission, Eurydice (2025), 2.6 Administration and governance at central and/or regional level, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/administration-and-governance-central-andor.

[27] European Commission, Eurydice (2024), 8. Adult education and training, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/adult-education-and-training.

[28] European Commission, Eurydice (2024), 8.4 Main types of provision, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/main-types-provision.

[29] European Commission, Eurydice (2024), Overview, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/overview.

[11] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2. Organisation and governance, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/organisation-and-governance.

[12] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2.2 Lifelong learning strategy, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/organisation-and-governance.

[13] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2.3 Organisation of the education system and of its structure, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/organisation-education-system-and-its-structure.

[16] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2.3 Organisation of the education system and of its structure, https://epale.ec.europa.eu/fr/node/17090.

[17] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2.6 Administration and governance at central and/or regional level, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-flemish-community/administration-and-governance-central-andor.

[14] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2.7 Administration and governance at local and/or institutional level, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/administration-and-governance-local-andor.

[18] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2.7 Administration and governance at local and/or institutional level, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-flemish-community/administration-and-governance-local-andor.

[23] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 2.8 Statistics on organisation and governance, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/statistics-organisation-and-governance.

[24] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 3. Funding in education, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/funding-education.

[5] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 3.3 Adult education and training funding, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/adult-education-and-training-funding.

[19] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 3.3 Adult education and training funding, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-flemish-community/adult-education-and-training-funding.

[26] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 6.7 Organisation of vocational upper secondary education, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/organisation-vocational-upper-secondary.

[20] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 8. Adult education, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-flemish-community/adult-education-and-training.

[6] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 8. Adult education and training, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/netherlands/adult-education-and-training.

[15] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 8.1 Distribution of responsibilities, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/distribution-responsibilities.

[21] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 8.1 Distribution of responsibilities, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-flemish-community/distribution-responsibilities.

[22] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 8.3 Main providers, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-flemish-community/main-providers.

[25] European Commission, Eurydice (2023), 8.3 Main providers, https://eurydice.eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-education-systems/belgium-french-community/main-providers.

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[9] OECD (2015), Employment and Skills Strategies in Flanders, Belgium, OECD Reviews on Local Job Creation, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264228740-en.

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