News item | 27-10-2022 | 14:34
With the STAP budget, people can improve their position on the labor market. Providers of training courses in the training register must meet requirements or belong to a recognized quality mark. After signals that trainers do not comply with the subsidy conditions for the STAP budget with their offer or working method, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has started investigations into almost 250 trainers. Six of these have now been completed.
Two of the six trainers surveyed are temporarily removed from the register with all their courses. In addition, two trainers have been ordered to remove programs that do not meet the STAP objective and conditions from the register. If this is not done before October 31, removal will also follow. The other two investigated trainers can continue to offer their courses in the register. This was decided by Minister Van Gennip of Social Affairs and Employment on the advice of the STAP Assessment Chamber, the part of the ministry that monitors abuse and improper use of the scheme by educators.
Offer does not meet objectives
The STAP Testing Chamber started investigations into the trainers after signals that training mainly consists of coaching, takes place abroad or is aimed at personal financial gain. According to the scheme, this type of training does not qualify as training, because they are not directly aimed at improving the labor market position. Training courses were also offered for which other subsidies already exist or for which an employer is responsible, such as driver training and language training in integration courses.
The nearly 5000 people who have applied for the STAP budget for one of the courses that do not meet the objectives have recently been informed about this. Some of them have been told that they can choose another education. The rest will receive information about the sequel.
Since the first period in March 2022, there has been great interest in the STAP scheme. The budget has so far been divided into four application periods among about 155,000 people. A positive aspect is that half of the applicants have at most an MBO background, while this group was less satisfied with the tax deduction for training until last year. Due to the interest in STAP, the budget for the last period has been increased considerably, so that more applications can be awarded.
Enforcement of trainers tightened
At the same time, it appears that there are trainers who are pushing the limits of the scheme. That is why, in the coming period, there will be strict supervision that trainers comply with the conditions. For example, they may not link gifts, offers or other benefits to training courses in the STAP register.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment works closely with UWV, DUO and the Assessment Room in identifying and taking action against trainers who nevertheless make a mistake. In consultation with these parties, the STAP scheme is being further tightened up. Because this is a learning scheme, STAP is continuously monitored and evaluated.