Belgian French-speaking public authorities convened a peer review in Namur to strengthen the alignment between vocational education and training (VET) and labour market demands. The event was hosted by the Erasmus National Agency AEF-Europe in collaboration with VET organizations from Wallonia and Brussels.
Eight international experts from the EQAVET Network representing Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania, and Slovenia participated as peer reviewers. Their focus was on enhancing how labour market data informs VET governance, training outcomes, and certification processes.
Belgium’s VET system, characterized by autonomous training providers operating under centrally defined learning outcomes, relies heavily on data to shape programs for both youth and adults. The review aimed to improve decision-making by identifying best practices in data collection, refining indicators, and optimizing tools for transparency and collaboration.
Key themes included:
- Strengthening cooperation between public authorities and VET providers
- Encouraging broader use of labour market data
- Enhancing quality assurance and reducing dropout rates
- Promoting shared data access and usage targets
A flash report summarizing the discussions has been published, with a detailed feedback document to follow. The initiative reflects Belgium’s commitment to responsive, data-driven vocational education that meets evolving societal and economic needs.