The Step budget that allows citizens to follow studies that improve their labor market position has had its day. To put the national budget in order a bit, the cabinet wants to put the axe to this scheme.
It looks like next year will see the end of the possibility to do an education or course in the information and communication sector with a thousand euro subsidy, for example. Per application period, many thousands of people do ict studies this way. The ict sector accounts for just under 8 percent of applications.
With advancing digitalization, regular retraining or further training is by no means a superfluous luxury. The shortage on the labor market for ICT professionals also makes such training useful. On the other hand, the regulation also appeared to facilitate a lot of nonsense training with a strong hobby character. Abuse and improper use were rampant.
By the way, it is still possible to benefit from the Step budget this year. The next round of applications will start very soon. Applicants are eligible for one course or training per year with a maximum of one thousand euros.
