Paid educational leave: train without losing your salary
Do you want to train, develop new skills or explore a field that you are passionate about... But you're wondering how to do it without blowing up your schedule, stressing your organization or putting your salary on hold?
Good news: paid educational leave (CEP) is there for that! ✨
This scheme offers you the possibility of following certain training courses while continuing to work, without losing your salary. In other words: you can evolve, learn and breathe... without putting your job on stand-by. 🙌
In this article, we explain who is entitled to it, which training courses are recognized, how it works and why it is a real boost for your professional future.
Let's go! 👇
What exactly is paid educational leave?
Paid educational leave (PEL) is a right for workers in the private sector. In concrete terms, it allows you to take time off work to follow a recognised training course, while being paid normally by your employer.
👉 If you and your training meet the legal requirements, your employer must accept your application.
👉 For his part, he can request a lump sum reimbursement for the hours of leave granted.
A win-win deal!
Who can benefit from it?
To be eligible for the CEP, you must:
Working in the private sector
Be employed full-time or part-time (at least 25% of a full-time job).
Be employed under an employment contract or be employed under the authority of a person.
Which training courses are concerned?
Paid educational leave covers both vocational and general training, provided that the training is recognised.
Here are some examples of approved training courses: social advancement education, higher education leading to bachelor's or master's degrees, continuing education for the middle classes, training courses preparing for the exercise of a profession in shortage, the central or university jury, sector-specific training, the presentation of a skills validation exam, as well as general training.
In addition, each course must include a minimum of 32 hours of courses (except for the presentation of a competency validation exam and registration with the central or university jury).
👉 Good to know : Courses can be taken face-to-face, hybrid or online.
How does it work, concretely?
Enrol in a recognised training course.
Inform your employer before 31 October of the school year (or within 15 days of late registration) and communicate your dates of absence.
Prove your attendance with quarterly certificates.
Your employer submits only one reimbursement request per year for all the employees concerned.
💡 Tip : The training you are taking does not have to be linked to your current job to be eligible for paid educational leave. You can therefore explore a new field or develop a passion, while benefiting from this system.
Compensation and protection
During your paid educational leave, your salary is maintained, with a ceiling of €3,714 per month, and you continue to benefit from your meal vouchers for the days you are absent to attend your classes.
In addition, you are protected against dismissal : your employer cannot kick you out of the door from the day you submit your registration certificate until the end of your training, except for reasons unrelated to your educational leave.
On the employer's side, they can request a flat-rate reimbursement of €21.30 per hour of paid educational leave, with a ceiling of €700,000 per year and per employer.
Why paid educational leave is great for you ✨
Thanks to paid educational leave, you can train with peace of mind, without financial stress, while continuing to develop your skills.
It's a great opportunity to boost your employability, deepen a field that intrigues you or even explore a new passion that you never had time to dig into. Your employer can also actively support you in your professional development, which makes your career even more rewarding.
In short: the CEP is a real breath of fresh air for your brain and your professional future! 😍
👉 For more information on paid childcare leave, you can also consult the FOREM website directly.
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