Following a decree by the Walloon government issued on 23 July 1998 (Moniteur belge, 18.8.1998), a system has been set up to promote vocational training by issuing vocational training cheques. This system is restricted to companies which employ up to a maximum of 50 employees and which have a production location situated in the Walloon Region.
The vocational training cheque involves the partial assumption of the cost of training performed by employees (or the managing director or an active partner). Such training must be provided by a training organisation approved by the Walloon Minister for Employment and Vocational Training. The training must be provided during the normal working hours of the plant concerned.
The enterprise may purchase up to a maximum of 400 cheques per annum at a price of BEF 600 per cheque from the issuing organisation. Having been received by the training provider, the cheque is cashed by the issuer to the account of the enterprise for a sum of BEF 1,200 minus the hourly costs of the service provided by the training establishment. If, however, the cost of a training hour exceeds BEF 1,200, the company must bear the difference.
The public support in the form of the training cheques may under no circumstances be combined with other support measures granted in the Walloon Region for such training.
The regional public employment service (FOREM) is responsible for implementing, coordinating and monitoring this measure. The Directorate General for the Economy and Employment of the Ministry of the Walloon Region is responsible for recognising and approving training providers.
A budget of BEF 300 million has been set aside for 1998.
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