Horeca Professions: Training Pathways in Belgium

Horeca Training in Belgium: Schools, Dual Learning, and Career Redirection

The Horeca sector (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés) in Belgium offers numerous professional opportunities. Whether you are a young person looking for your future vocation, an adult changing careers, or a professional looking to upskill, Belgium has an extensive network of high-quality training programmes. Discover the pathways to cooking, front-of-house, and hospitality management professions, categorized by training track.

🎓 1. Secondary Technical & Vocational Education (Hotel Schools)

The traditional academic track leading to qualification diplomas (CQ6 or CQ7) in culinary arts, restaurant service, and hotel management.

In Wallonia:

• École Hôtelière Provinciale de Namur (EHPN): The benchmark in Wallonia for excellence in technical and vocational education.

• École Hôtelière de Spa: A renowned institution specializing in restaurant and hospitality professions.

• Institut Notre-Dame (Fleurus): Modern facilities training future kitchen and front-of-house teams.

In Brussels:

• Institut Les Éperonniers: A historic and highly reputed school located in the heart of the capital.

• École Hôtelière de la Ville de Bruxelles: A municipal institution offering comprehensive qualifying tracks.

• Institut des Professions de la Croissance: Training focused on practical skills required by the Brussels market.

In Flanders (Bilingual or internationally renowned training):

• Hotel School Ter Duinen (Koksijde): A historic institution famous for training numerous Michelin-starred chefs.

• Spermalie (Bruges): A prestigious establishment globally known for its rigorous training.

• Ter Groene Poorte (Bruges): An essential reference for culinary arts, bakery, and fine pastry.

💼 2. Dual Learning / Apprenticeship (From age 15 or 18)

The ideal way to learn the trade directly on the job within a Horeca business, while earning a monthly wage under an apprenticeship contract or internship agreement.

• The IFAPME Network (Wallonia): Organized through its numerous regional centers (Charleroi, Namur, Liège, Mons, Wavre, Libramont, Arlon). IFAPME offers two tracks: the Apprentice track (from age 15) and the Entrepreneur track (from age 18) to learn how to manage your own establishment.

• EFP (Brussels): Located in Uccle, this is the reference center for SME dual training in the Brussels region, offering courses for cooks, restaurateurs, and managers.

• CEFA (Centres d'Éducation et de Formation en Alternance): Integrated into the school network, they allow young people to combine 2 days of theoretical classes at school with 3 days of paid practical work in a restaurant or hotel.

🔄 3. Retraining Centers for Adults & Jobseekers

Intensive, free courses lasting several months, including a mandatory workplace internship, for adults registered as jobseekers or workers undergoing retraining.

Public Operators:

• Le Forem (Wallonia): Offers introductory modules and comprehensive qualifying training for kitchen assistants, waiters, or cooks in its various competence centers.

• Bruxelles Formation: Particularly through the "BF Métiers Urbains" hub, which organizes practical training highly sought after by employers in the capital.

Official Sectorial Centers (In partnership with Actiris and the federation):

• Horeca Forma Be Pro (Brussels): Based in Anderlecht, this modern center offers free job-integration training and career coaching.

• Horeca Forma Wallonie: Sectorial training body offering free advanced modules (hygiene, barista, mixology, team management), notably at its training center in Jambes.

🏛️ 4. Higher Education (Bachelor’s Degrees in Management)

Bachelor's degree courses (3 years of higher education) intended for future executives in the sector (Hotel Director, F&B Manager, Revenue Manager).

• Haute École Lucia de Brouckère (HELdB - Brussels): Offers a reputed Bachelor in Hotel Management with an international management focus.

• Haute École de la Province de Namur (HEPN): Higher education combining financial management, marketing, and hospitality management.

• Haute École Charlemagne (HECh - Verviers Campus): A comprehensive curriculum oriented towards accommodation management and tourism services.

Ready to launch your career or take on a new challenge?

Now that you know the training pathways in Belgium, take action! Whether you are looking for an internship, a first job, or a new professional opportunity, discover the latest job offers in the sector.