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Evaluation of dual learning in the Brussels-Capital Region
Marie Antoine
Expert Labour Market & Socio-Economic Policy
"Dual learning offers a valuable route for those seeking to study while gaining significant work experience. Our evaluation has highlighted the value of this model in the training landscape, enabling participants not only to develop specific skills but also to enter the labour market actively and quickly.
The project also highlighted the inclusive aspect of dual learning, which is accessible to all, encouraging professional reorientation and lifelong learning and offering numerous possibilities on the path to employment. This flexibility is essential in a professional world that is constantly evolving and where skills requirements are changing rapidly.
The team involved in this project is extremely proud of the analysis carried out and the recommendations produced, which underline the need to strengthen and extend dual learning schemes even further."
The challenge
With an unemployment rate of 12.4% (in 2020), the employment challenge in the Brussels Region is a major one. Learning is one of the key measures implemented by the government to raise the employment rate to 80% by 2030. One of the many players in the Brussels vocational training landscape is efp, the work-study training centre for SMEs. Our mission was to evaluate, for the first time, the French-language dual learning training system in the Brussels Region and to provide recommendations for its improvement.
The process & results
We based our assessment on a series of quantitative and qualitative data.
For the quantitative part, we have used the data provided by the sfpme and the efp in accordance with their respective missions and depending on the quality and availability of the data provided by these bodies. The statistical data presented in this report supports the various evaluation findings.
With regard to the qualitative aspect, we conducted a series of semi-structured individual and group interviews. These interviews had two objectives.
- The first objective was to understand how the dual learning scheme works. To do this, we met several key people involved in the scheme, both at the efp and the sfpme.
- The second objective was to meet the stakeholders in the scheme, i.e. the students and the companies. During these interviews, we looked at the dual learning experience, motivations for doing/proposing a dual learning placement or not doing one, satisfaction with the scheme, areas for improvement, etc.
Our assignment highlighted 8 evaluation findings relating to :
- The success of adult training;
- The evolution over time of the dual learning rate;
- Availability of apprenticeship places for dual learning students;
- Perception of dual learning;
- The drop-out rate for this type of training;
- The role of employer-trainers in the apprenticeship experience;
- Certification at the end of the course;
- The tasks assigned to the key bodies, i.e. the efp and the sfpme.
These findings have led to the formulation of eight concrete recommendations for improving the system.