What is VOV?
The VOV (previously known as paid educational leave) is available to employees in the private sector who work for one or more employers in the Flemish Region.
Employees who work at least 50% of normal hours are entitled to attend certain training courses while being absent from work and still receiving their salary. This salary is capped at 3,641 euros gross per month (the indexed amount for the school year 2024/2025). You will pay this salary, but you will receive a contribution from the Flemish government.
Read more: What is the Flemish educational leave? | Securex
From the school year 2025-2026, the rules regarding VOV will change, and we will provide information about these changes.
Stricter employment condition
Currently, your employee can take VOV if they work at least 50% of the normal working hours in your company.
This requirement will become stricter. From the new school year, your employee will need to work at least 80% and an average of at least 28 hours per week.
Lower salary allowance
Additionally, the contribution you receive from the Flemish government (for each hour your employee attends training) will decrease. The salary allowance will drop from 21.30 euros per hour to 14.91 euros per hour.
For example, if an employee attends training for 3 hours per week, the contribution your company receives from the Flemish government for this training would change as follows:
- Old scheme: 3 hours x 21.30 euros = 63.90 euros per week
- New scheme: 3 hours x 14.91 euros = 44.73 euros per week
Extension of joint initiative right
The joint initiative right will be extended for the school year 2025 – 2026, pending a final reform of the VOV.
Read more: Changes to the Flemish educational leave in 2025 | Securex
Training courses that do not qualify
To prevent established abuses and to provide legal certainty, the Flemish government has clarified which training courses do not qualify for the VOV.
It is now explicitly stated that the following trainings do not qualify for the VOV:
1° onboarding processes;
2° mentoring of a new colleague by a mentor;
3° online training videos;
4° lunch and learn sessions;
5° corporate theatre;
6° learning networks;
7° intervision.
Combination possibility will not be extended
To be eligible for Flemish educational leave, the employee must be enrolled for at least 32 hours (or 3 study points) in a recognised training course from the training database or for a career-oriented training (after following career guidance).
Within a year, various modules, even from different training providers, of less than 32 hours may be combined to meet this minimum of 32 hours. According to the note accompanying the draft decision, this combination possibility will no longer be extended and will therefore expire on August 31, 2025.
Entry into force
The measures will take effect from the new school year starting on September 1, 2025. The reduction of the salary allowance and the stricter employment condition will apply only for the school year 2025-2026, pending a structural reform of the VOV.
What does Securex do for you?
A complete overview of the Flemish educational leave can be found in our file on Lex4you.
If you have any questions about this, please contact your Legal Advisor at myHr@securex.be
Be sure to inform your Client Advisor about the days your employee has taken Flemish educational leave. This way, they can ensure correct payroll processing. You need to apply for the reimbursement of the wage cost yourself. More information about the application and reimbursement procedure can be found via this link.
