Apprenticeship in Belgium is considered a combination of studies and vocational training. This program can accommodate different age groups with different levels of study to enable them to get a profession. Adding to apprenticeship benefits, there are many specialties that have just gone viral and become in demand for the upcoming years. Let’s find out:

Apprenticeship in Belgium:

 Apprenticeships are called formations professionnelles in Belgium. They are a set of additional studies that culminate in a diploma. These studies target various specializations such as paramedical, paralegal, teaching, administrative, trades, crafts, manual labor etc… All these disciplines can be taught either in public institutions offering vocational training or private ones. Apprenticeship institutions in Belgium have various terms and conditions to select apprentices :

-Some of them are looking for young apprentices who do not exceed 18 years old

-Some of them offer a paid internship program such as electrical, mechanical, paramedical training.

-All these apprenticeships offer a final diploma that enables applicants to get a job or either start-up their own business. The same diploma is applicable to financing programs, as many Belgian banks allocate money for apprentices to start small businesses.

To know about the best vocational training in Belgium, it is essential to sign up to Fratres. This website is a worldwide job search engine that offers guidelines to increase employment chances and boost the work life. Here is what you need to choose the right apprenticeship program and have access to the Belgian job market:

1. Choose The Right Apprenticeship Program:

Choosing a career starts by defining your skills and your eligibility for certain industries. In Belgium, there are various apprenticeship institutions that provide vocational training. There are three areas of apprenticeship in Belgium that belong to the jobs of the future. When choosing your apprenticeship program, you should conduct research on the most sought after fields and specializations. Here is the top 3 major professional areas that recruit apprentices:

• Technical and computing fields: during the pandemic many companies have turned towards distance work. The main required skills to join these jobs is having IT and computing skills. In Belgium, these skills will be required in the future, especially with the increased number of digital businesses and companies.
• Health and paramedical apprenticeships: since the third age is a dominant part in Belgian society, providing health assistance for this category will be among the sought after professions in the upcoming years.  Medical profiles are always among the sought-after candidates in Belgium. That’s why many institutes offer from one to two years apprenticeship programs for healthcare assistance, caregivers, nurses and paramedical assistance.
• Mechanical apprenticeship : many automotive manufacturers have settled their network in Belgium. Various apprenticeship programs offer mechanical diplomas to join these manufactories.

2. Obtaining an Equivalent Degree:

Many apprenticeship programs are alternative to the baccalaureate level. These programs are usually training applicants for service-related professions such as restaurant and hotel management, fashion and stylistic crafts, etc.. Others are engaging applicants to join national employment such as customer assistance, clerical jobs, airport and logistic jobs etc… Take a look at; Education in Belgium

When you choose an apprenticeship program, you should think of a target field. In case of not obtaining a baccalaureate or a college degree, think of an apprenticeship with an alternative diploma that helps you get hired in the same position the same as a high school graduate does.

3. Getting Employed Faster:

Apprenticeship studies depend on the chosen program. The period of studies varies from 6 months to a year. Many students choose a short term program to obtain a certificate. This diploma is followed by a practical training in the workplace that can be either paid or unpaid. This training is called stage in Belgium. It can be a common branch that gathers apprentices and trainees in a single institution.

4. Accessible to Foreigners:

 Apprenticeships in Belgium allow immigrants and foreigners to register in one of the suggested programs. It also helps in obtaining a work permit, especially if these apprentices will join one of the vocational trainings that require a long stay in Belgium.

5. Apprenticeship is affordable compared to college studies:

Although apprenticeship fees depend on the chosen specialization, it is always affordable and not expensive. On the other hand, college studies in Belgium grant a scholarship to every student. As a potential apprentice, you can choose an affordable apprenticeship program by conducting research online or You by contacting one of these offices:

VDAB office in Flemish and Brussels:  vocational training is in Dutch

Bruxelles Formations Office (Brussels): vocational training is in French

The training costs depend on the chosen specialization and the period of training. Some applicants with special needs or subscribed under social protection are not obliged  to pay course fees.

6. Expected Occupations to Grow

Belgium is in demand for young workers in various sectors. Vacancies are increasing depending on the needs of the population. The current job market in Belgium includes: social services, public health, education, real estate agencies, companies, etc..Some of the mentioned fields are in demand for the workforce and supply apprentices. here is a list of the jobs awaiting apprentices:

Technicians

Accountants

Nurses and midwives

Technical and Commercial Sales Representatives

School  personnel and clerks

Hotel Staff

Mechanics

Building trades - electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and plasterers.

These were the 7 tips for new graduates to get appreciated in Belgium. Getting an entry-level job is possible in many recruiting areas. Fields like teaching, finance, and accounting are accessible through passing national exams and tests. Other professions are not accessible to foreigners such as police and military services.