We work on more than 300 projects every year.
Evaluation of dual learning in the Brussels-Capital Region
Marie Antoine
Expert Labour Market & Socio-Economic Policy
"Work-based learning is a valuable path for individuals who wish to learn while gaining meaningful professional experience. Our evaluation highlighted the value of this model in the training landscape, enabling participants not only to develop specific skills but also to actively and quickly enter the labor market.
The project also emphasized the inclusive nature of work-based learning, which is accessible to all, encourages professional reorientation, lifelong learning, and offers numerous opportunities for employment. This flexibility is essential in a constantly evolving labor market, where the demand for skills is rapidly changing.
The team involved in this project is particularly proud of the analysis conducted and the recommendations made, which emphasize the need to further strengthen and expand work-based learning programs."
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.