Do you work at least half-time in the private sector in the Flemish Region? If so, you may be able to take Flemish training leave (Vlaams opleidingsverlof, VOV) to follow a recognised course, with continued pay up to the statutory wage ceiling. Check with our secretariat whether your course and personal situation qualify.
Do you work in Brussels or Wallonia? Then the paid educational leave scheme of that region applies.
From the 2026–2027 school year, for modules without workplace learning:
One lesson period counts as one hour of VOV.
Only the lesson hours you actually attend count: classes at school and live online classes with your teacher.
Self-paced independent work does not count.
You must take part in the final assessment.
Missed lesson hours do not count, even in the case of justified absence. Lessons that are cancelled do not count either.
Does your module include at least one hour of workplace learning? Then a different calculation applies: if you take part in the final assessment, the number of hours planned for the module counts.
You must also meet the other VOV conditions. Your personal maximum also still applies. The number of lesson periods on your enrolment certificate is therefore no guarantee of the same number of VOV hours.
Tell us when you enrol that you want to take VOV and ask the secretariat for your enrolment certificate. We will provide it within eight days of your enrolment. Give this certificate to your employer within 2.5 months of the start of your course.
Plan your leave together with your employer. The leave period runs from one day before the start up to and including two days after the end date on your enrolment certificate. Additional conditions apply for some work schedules.
Report absences according to the centre’s arrangements. Keep the supporting documents for justified absences for VOV yourself for three years.
In principle, a module can only be followed once with VOV. An exception may apply in cases of force majeure around the final assessment. Transitional measures exist for some ongoing courses. Ask the secretariat to check your situation.