The Walloon Government has granted, until 31 December 2027, labelling to 21 Competence Centres. The labelling of Competence Centres (CDC) is much more than an administrative exercise. It allows for a clear assessment of the actions carried out and confirms the existence of a solid network, capable of innovating and meeting economic and social expectations. But above all, it marks a turning point: the label is becoming a genuine lever for demands and results.
As the Minister emphasises: “The Competence Centres are generally solid and engaged in a positive dynamic. The majority of Centres show a positive record, and their work is recognised. But today, that is no longer enough: they must go further, faster, and with a direct impact on employment. Labelling now comes with cross-cutting recommendations as well as recommendations specific to each Centre. Their implementation determines whether the label is maintained. My message is clear: the label is no longer a given, it is a commitment. A commitment to progress, to adapt and to produce measurable results, with interim evaluations if necessary.”
The cross-cutting recommendations are structured around three key areas:
- A more effective and accessible training offer: increasing provision for jobseekers, facilitating access, further modularising and certifying, speeding up certain pathways, developing refresher courses, and fully integrating technological and pedagogical innovations (AI, XR, hybrid learning, etc.);
- Stronger, more operational partnerships: better sharing of practices, structuring collaboration between operators, strengthening links with businesses, research and innovation, co-developing pathways and pooling equipment and resources;
- Stricter, more transparent governance: managing by results, strengthening the monitoring of indicators and ensuring the rigorous use of public funds.
Each Centre will also have to follow an operational roadmap with a clear objective: to gradually evolve into genuine specialised sectoral centres, pillars of excellence, innovation and equipment sharing.
This reform aims to:
- Respond concretely to the needs of the labour market and skills shortages;
- Make the training system more coherent, clearer and more effective, particularly through the pooling of equipment and complementarity between operators.
“The labelling of Competence Centres is more than a formality. It is conditional on a clear roadmap, precise recommendations and measurable results, to ensure that Competence Centres remain fully aligned with economic, sectoral and territorial needs and contribute effectively to professional integration, particularly for jobseekers. It is a matter of consistency in public policy, responsibility in the use of resources and real impact on employment in Wallonia”, said Pierre-Yves Jeholet, welcoming the move.
Through this relabelling process, the Walloon Government is strengthening the coherence of the training landscape and making a clear choice: putting an end to automatic mechanisms and demanding concrete results in terms of professional integration.