Quality in Apprenticeship in the European Union - UEAPME

of this openness for all kinds of youngsters, differentiation in levels
does not yet exist. Consequently, the groups have a very
heterogeneous composition, which may cause problems during the
theoretical training (e.g. some of the pupils may fall behind, the pace
of teaching is too slow…).
The apprentice secretary closely monitors the individual learning
process of each apprentice, which has a contract under his mediation.
Theoretical Training
The theoretical training takes place at a regional training centre (22
centres across Flanders), for two days (for the 15 year-old) or one
day (for the 16 year-old) a week. It consists of 360 hours for
apprentices of 15 years old and 240 hours for apprentices of 16 to
18 years old.
In this theoretical training two main subjects are dealt with:
• Social studies, in which topics such as democracy, your own car,
becoming self- employed, etc., are treated. By means of this
integrated course the teachers want to give the pupils the means
for a well-considered self-development, a wise private and
professional life, etc.
• Technical studies, in which topics like use of raw materials,
manner of execution of the work, basic skills of the profession
and so on are treated.
• Additional courses, for pupil-apprentices who are confronted
with learning problems
Additionally, pupils can take up a language course, for those who
want to obtain the basic knowledge of a foreign language.
Practical Training
The practical training mainly takes place on the shop floor, at the
enterprise of the employer-trainer. Next to the real theoretical courses,
the apprentices learn the basic skills in the regional training centre.
The practical training in the enterprise has to follow the training
programme described for that particular profession and, in this way,
has to correspond with the theoretical training in the regional
training centre.
The practical training can be seen as a combination of three forms
of training: training work in a training workshop in the regional
centre, in-company training at the beginning of the apprenticeship
contract when the apprentice still has to learn at the enterprise of
the employer-trainer and productive in-company work when the
apprentice has built up knowledge and experience on-the-job.
Qualified Staff
Teachers take care of the courses in the regional training centre.
These teachers have to prove that they have the required
competencies (professionally and pedagogically). The employertrainer
has to fulfil the qualifications as mentioned above.
Both teachers and employer have to attend extra training courses
organised by VIZO.
Monitoring by Training Establishment
Different people and institutions are responsible for the monitoring
of the training. The most important person is the apprentice
secretary, who has to guide the apprentice throughout the whole
learning process and monitor his/her progress in theoretical and
practical training. This person will also look after the fulfilment of
all legal obligations.
Teachers in the regional centre and the trainer in the enterprise
monitor the performance of the apprentice at each place separately.
The first is more education oriented; the latter will give more
attention to the aspects, which are important towards the labour
market. Officials of VIZO monitor all these people. The Practice
Commission is authorised to decide in matters where problems arise
or performances do not comply with regulation.
Manner of Payment and Financing
The enterprise is responsible for the costs of the practical training,
and is also responsible for paying the allowance of the apprentice.
Public financing goes to the theoretical training (subsidies to the
regional training centres) and to the guidance of the apprentice.
Public financing for the total vocational training of independent
professions amounts approximately to 1.5 billion BEF.
Standards and Educational Content
VIZO defines the curriculum for both theoretical and practical
training; the programme is developed by experts from the
profession and representatives of the professional organisations
(represented in the authorised Professional Commission) and is
approved by the social partners represented in the Practice
Commission and Board of Directors.
These standards are controlled and monitored by officials of VIZO.
Technological and economic progress are filled in the existing
programmes by the teachers, who have practical experience and
often still practise the profession for which they are teaching. VIZO
is developing a system to be able to foresee evolutions in professions
and to bring in new aspects into the curriculum. The Professional
Commissions also have a role in this implementation, since the
persons represented there should be close to every day practice.
Degree of Involvement
Social partners are involved in:
• The Board of directors of VIZO, the public institution that
organises the vocational training (overall policy, monitoring of
the vocational training system as a whole, etc.)
• The Practice Commission, that monitors the initial vocational
training in all its aspects (e.g. training programmes, guidance,
decision authority when problems occur, …)
• The Professional Commissions, that have authority for one
specific profession or cluster of professions (concerning e.g.
programmes, teachers, etc.)
• The promotion of the vocational training, the awareness raising
among employers, etc.
16 UEAPME