Karen Wouters

Future challenges for human resource development professionals in European learning‐oriented organisations

Within the scope of the Targeted Socio‐Economic Research (TSER) project (1998‐2000), that aimed to examine new human resource development (HRD) initiatives in learning‐oriented organisations throughout Europe, this paper confronts the Belgian findings with the European outlook. The study examines how HRD departments in learning‐oriented organisations envision their new role in stimulating and supporting employees to learn continuously, what strategies HRD departments adopt to realise their envisioned role and what inhibiting factors they encounter when tying to realise their new role. The results of a survey of 165 companies, of which 39 are located in Belgium, showed a paucity of innovative HRD practices. However, professionals indicate that strategies to support the business and to stimulate learning and knowledge sharing will become increasingly important strategies in the future. The factors that appear to significantly hinder the change process are also discussed.

Continuing Vocational Training in Belgian Companies: An Upward Tendency.

Purpose – As part of the European continuing vocational training survey, this paper aims to give an overview of the evolutions in continuing vocational training (CVT) in Belgian companies, by comparing both the results of the survey of 1994 and those of 2000/2001.Design/methodology/approach – In Belgium 1,129 companies took part in the survey of 2000/2001. The sample was representative of Belgian companies with more than ten employees, making use of two criteria: company size and economic activity. The data were collected by telephone, post and face‐to‐face interviews based on a standardised questionnaire.Findings – The findings suggest that the Belgian companies increasingly invested in both formal and informal learning. The results concerning “access to CVT courses” and “efforts in financial terms” also show a positive evolution. Finally, the study reveals that the CVT‐policy within companies has become more formal. Despite this positive tendency in general, not all employees seem to have the same oppor...