Continuing vocational training in Belgian companies

Abstract

PurposeAs part of the European continuing vocational training survey, this paper aims to give an overview of the evolutions in continuing vocational training (CVT) in Belgian companies, by comparing both the results of the survey of 1994 and those of 2000/2001.Design/methodology/approachIn Belgium 1,129 companies took part in the survey of 2000/2001. The sample was representative of Belgian companies with more than ten employees, making use of two criteria: company size and economic activity. The data were collected by telephone, post and face‐to‐face interviews based on a standardised questionnaire.FindingsThe findings suggest that the Belgian companies increasingly invested in both formal and informal learning. The results concerning “access to CVT courses” and “efforts in financial terms” also show a positive evolution. Finally, the study reveals that the CVT‐policy within companies has become more formal. Despite this positive tendency in general, not all employees seem to have the same opportunities to take part in CVT. The company size and, to a lesser extent, the activity of the company are two important determinants for the investment in CVT.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focused on the formal types of CVT; consequently, it gives only a partial outline of the training efforts in Belgian enterprises. Future research should also include the other forms of CVT. Furthermore, the data are taken from enterprises; as such, they do not enable us to take into account the individual heterogeneity.Practical implicationsA two‐track policy is required to stimulate both training and non‐training enterprises to invest in their human resources. More specifically, the opportunities of on‐the‐job training and external CVT courses should be enhanced and it is recommended to examine which role the different providers can play.Originality/valueThe CVT survey is a useful source of statistical information for monitoring continuing vocational training by both policy‐makers and enterprises.