News item | 01-03-2022 | 09:50
As of today, people can claim the STAP budget. Through STAP, adults with a link to the Dutch labor market can apply for a subsidy of 1,000 euros per year for training and development. In this way, the government wants to offer people the opportunity to take more control over their career development. This year 160 million euros is available for STAP subsidies. The available budget will increase to 200 million euros per year in the coming years.
Until January 1, 2022, training costs were deductible in the income tax return. This was a complex act for many people. Also, this arrangement could not, or only to a limited extent, be used by people with a low income. As a result, the practically skilled, the elderly and people with a low income in particular did not make use of this. STAP makes it more accessible to receive training subsidies.
Minister Van Gennip: “I think it is important that people are given the opportunity to undergo further training, retraining or further training. This importance is increasing as we get further and further out of the corona crisis and the economy is recovering quickly. With STAP I want to motivate people to continue to develop professionally. Certainly for people who are now standing on the sidelines, I hope that this 1,000 euros will help to reconnect with the labor market.”
Guidelines STEP
STAP is intended for qualitative and labor market-oriented training. Hobby training activities – such as amateur photography or guitar lessons – are not eligible for subsidy. More information about which courses are available can be found at hoewerktnederland.nl/stap. People can also orientate themselves here on the various possibilities for development.
The quality of the training is guaranteed by the required certifications and/or quality marks. In the first phase, this will be limited to a number of generic quality marks (OCW-recognised, NRTO, NLQF and soon also CEDEO and CPION). In the course of this year, sector-specific quality marks that offer sufficient quality will also be eligible.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment ensures that these guidelines are complied with. In the event of abuses, trainers may have to deal with recoveries of the subsidy received or the removal of the trainer from the training register. Participants who do not comply with the conditions can be excluded from STAP for a maximum of two years.
Help with STAP application
In 2022, there will be five periods (every two months) in which people can apply for a STAP budget. From next year, there will be six periods per year. Participants can claim a maximum of 1,000 euros once a year. People who could use help with applying for STAP can contact professional support staff by telephone or visit physical locations (in UWV offices, libraries and/or regional work-study counters).
Financial support is of great importance, but to enable people to get started with training and development, more is needed. That is why free development advice is also offered to support those with a practical education in their development goal. These will be opened in the second quarter of 2022. In addition, SZW works through the SLIM scheme to stimulate training and development within SMEs.