Trefdag VDAB must solve an acute teacher shortage

Educational bachelor’s degree programs ensure a lateral influx of new teachers who have already completed other careers. “The problem is very acute. Recent figures show almost 15,000 vacancies in secondary education, while there are only 2000 candidates. In primary education there are also 7000 vacancies on an annual basis and no more than 1000 candidates,” says Wim Adriaens , managing director of VDAB.

“A lot of flexibility”

Niki is 35, has two young children and worked as an HR consultant for ten years. She has only just completed her educational bachelor’s degree in secondary education. “You can put a lot of flexibility in the training. You can choose to do it in one year, whether or not in combination with working. In evening classes you can spread this over two years.”

Graduate courses are available for candidate teachers from more practice-oriented professions. From September, Howest University of Applied Sciences will also launch a shortened teacher training course for primary education. They are already seeing more than a hundred lateral entrants there too.

Pedagogical leave

Those who are not yet convinced: “The minister foresees that pedagogical leave will be possible for people who want to obtain a diploma in education, so that we can take into account quality training in combination with the job that is performed,” says Lieven Boeve, top man Catholic Education. Flanders.

Finally, education must become more attractive as an employer, with better wages and other benefits.