How do you draw up a training plan?
Does your company have more than 20 employees? If it does, the individual training entitlement for each employee amounts to 5 full days. Which training courses are eligible, for whom and what the objectives are, must be recorded in a training plan. But how do you get started with such a plan? And which courses should you include in it? We’ll give you a handy overview so you can get started.
Every full-time employee in the private sector has had an individual training right since 2023. This applies to companies with 10 or more employees. If you are an employer with more than 20 employees, you are also obliged to draw up a training plan, and this must be established no later than 31 March of the current year.
Besides the right to training, certain functions must follow training courses, e.g. prevention advisors, confidential counsellors, etc.
In short
Training rights
In the private sector.
For a company with 10 or more employees.
10-19 employees? Every full-time employee will be entitled to 1 training day in 2025.
20 or more employees? Every full-time employee will be entitled to 5 training days in 2025.
20 or more employees? You must draw up an annual training plan for your employees.
You can choose the training courses yourself.
Training obligation
Certain functions are required to undergo compulsory training for well-being at work.
How do you get started with the training plan?
Does your company have 20 or more employees? Then you must draw up an annual training plan for all your employees. As the employer, you decide which training courses are included. However, it must include both formal and informal training that contributes to the overall training effort at sectoral level.
There are several steps to creating a training plan
Map out the competencies of your company.
Then determine which competencies are compulsory for your organisation.
Also consider what additional competencies your organisation needs to achieve the intended objectives.
Find out which positions require specific training, such as your Prevention Advisor (read on for a handy overview.).
Check which training courses you already provide as standard, e.g. first aid, fire safety.
Ensure all your employees who can improve the necessary competencies, knowledge and skills through training are represented in the plan.
Take the training needs of employees of foreign origin and employees with disabilities into account.
Pay extra attention to gender equality
Do you know your sector-specific bottleneck professions? You must provide training to address the shortage of candidates.
Training plan ready?
First send it to the Works Council or the Trade Union Delegation for advice. These organisations must provide you with their advice no later than 15 March, and the contents of the training plan must be finally established before 31 March of the year.
You must store the approved plan on paper or digitally, and you must also submit it to the FPS WASO on https://transfer.werk.belgie.be/
And there you have it, your employees can begin their training. Working closely with them, you are responsible for ensuring the training courses are completed on time. You are free to choose which training courses they follow. There are some important compulsory training courses.
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The most important compulsory training courses
Fire safety
A fire-fighting service is compulsory in every organisation. Anyone can be a member of this service, regardless of their function. However, all the members are obliged to follow targeted training so they can act efficiently in case of an emergency.
View all the training courses about fire safety
First Aid
A trained first aider is compulsory in companies with 20 employees or more. More than one may be required, depending on the size of your business. “First aiders” can be anyone, regardless of their function. Basic training and annual refresher training is compulsory.
View all the training courses for emergency support and first aid here
for prevention advisors (PA)
Every company must have an Internal prevention advisor.For a small company (<20 employees) this may be the employer (PA Level 3). Training is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended.
A larger company? In this case, prevention advisor training is compulsory (PA Level 2 and 1).
Prevention advisor - basic level (level 3) and do not forget about the annual refresher training
for confidential counsellors
A confidential counsellor is compulsory in companies with 50 or more employees. The confidential counsellor must undergo compulsory training and annual refresher training.
Person of trust - basic level and do not forget about the compulsory annual refresher training.
Non-compulsory but very useful training courses
Lifelong learning is important for every position within your company. Investing in new skills ensures you can keep up with rapidly changing times or take your career in a different direction.
Some interesting, valuable courses are listed below:
for prevention advisors, supervisors and/or managers
It is crucial that supervisors and managers not only ensure safety in the workplace, but also provide mental support and promote resilience. The right training ensures they can guide teams effectively, both physically and mentally.
for HR employees
HR plays a key role in preventing long-term absence, reintegration after absence, and general follow-up of absenteeism. These training courses provide the right tools.
for office or screen workers
An ergonomic workplace and maintaining focus are essential for office workers, especially now working from home has become a permanent fixture. These courses help employees stay healthy and productive, regardless of the work environment.
for workers in physical occupations
It is very important in physical occupations to prevent injuries and maintain healthy work routines. These training courses help your employees stay on the right track.
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