Individual training rights and annual training plan

What the labour deal means for your business.

opleiding

With the entry into force of the labour deal in Belgium, companies are obliged to invest more in the development of their employees.

Two key measures are the individual training right and the annual training plan. These changes not only have an impact on how companies train their employees, but also on their competitiveness and position on the labour market.

Looking for a training course?

Contact us

Table of contents

What is the individual training right?

The individual training right guarantees every employee in Belgium the right to at least five training days a year from 2024.

Attention, be sure to check the rules imposed by your sector, as they may deviate from this general rule. Take Joint Committee 200. There, for every employer with 20 employees or more, PC 200 does not immediately introduce the 5 compulsory days of individual training per year per full-time employee, but provides a growth path spread over 5 years:

  • until 31st December 2023: 2.5 days
  • from 1st January 2024: 3 days
  • from 1st January 2026: 4 days
  • from 1st January 2028: 5 days

This applies to full-time employees. If you employ part-time employees, or an employee has not yet been employed for a full year, then you allocate the individual training right pro rata. Sick leave, full-time time credit, etc. do not affect the number of training days to be allocated.

The labour deal introduced this right to oblige companies to commit to the continuous training of their employees. This can range from vocational training to personal development programmes.

Why is this important for companies?

The labour market is constantly changing, and if companies do not keep developing their employees, they risk falling behind the competition. The right to training offers benefits to both employees and employers:

  • Increased productivity: Employees who continue to develop can work more efficiently and effectively.
  • Satisfaction and loyalty: Offering training opportunities shows commitment to employees' personal development, which enhances their motivation and loyalty.
  • Legal obligation: Failure to comply with the right to training can lead to fines or other sanctions.

The annual training plan: what should it entail?

In addition to the individual training right, companies with more than 20 employees must also draw up an annual training plan and submit it to the works council or union delegation. This plan should detail what training is offered, how many employees benefit from it, and especially which groups within the organisation are prioritised (e.g. high-risk groups such as older workers or the low-skilled).

A well-drafted training plan not only provides legal certainty but also reinforces the company’s strategic goals.

What should the training plan contain?

An effective training plan must meet several requirements:

  • Clear objectives: what does the company want to achieve through training?
  • Specific training: what training will be offered? These can be both internal and external training courses.
  • Training budget: how much is spent annually on employee development?
  • Risk groups: attention to employees who need extra support in their career development.
    Who do these obligations apply to?

Who do these obligations apply to?

These obligations apply to companies with more than 20 employees. The legislation has been in force since September 2022 and ensures that companies are not only legally forced to offer training, but also that this training is aimed at strategically strengthening the organisation.

A delayed deadline

The mandatory registration of training courses in the Federal Learning Account (FLA) by November 30, 2024, was postponed until April 2025 during the House meeting on October 23. Whether the platform retains its current functions, is corrected, simplified or even abolished altogether will have to be decided by the new government.

Please note that the postponement does not affect workers’ training rights in any way.

Looking for training for your employees?

Prevom provides a wide range of training courses as an ideal complement to your policy!
Our safety training courses are designed to provide your employees with the necessary knowledge and skills to work safely and responsibly.

We offer training courses in construction safety, fire prevention, first aid, VCA and more. In addition, all our training courses comply with legal requirements and are specific to the risks in your sector.

Looking for clarity?

Prevom has the expertise you are looking for.
We will be happy to inform you about the possibilities!