16 to 30 years

Young adulthood can be a very worrying time for anyone, as well as their parents. Are you ready for it? Are they ready for it? We all worry a bit. Here are some ideas which we hope will help you to worry less.

Is finishing school mandatory?

Under the Flemish education system, approximately 13% of adults leave secondary school without a degree. The Flemish government has made sure that it is possible for adults to study at secundair volwassenenonderwijs and complete their degree in the Dutch-language system. This can be part-time, and subjects that were already passed in Flemish compulsory education are taken into account.  

If you are looking for ways to complete your secondary education, check out these guides for the Flemish system and the Walloon system.

Vocational secondary education

(Dutch: Beroepssecundair Onderwijs or BSO; French: Enseignement Secondaire professional)

Vocational secondary education is a very practical and job-specific type of education. Several directions offer a 7th or sometimes 8th specialisation year. Possible directions include carpentry, car mechanics, jewellery, or masonry. BSO is the only type of secondary education that does not qualify students to pursue higher education. If the student chooses to follow the optional 7th (and sometimes 8th) year, they will receive a diploma of the same level as a TSO diploma. This does allow them to pursue higher education.

Going to university

Many Belgian students continue to live at home, or opt for a student room or kot. This can be a challenge for a neurodivergent student, but there’s plenty of advice on surviving dorm life to be found online. Make sure to inform your school about your neurodivergent condition, and ask what help is available. Your school is obliged to offer reasonable accommodations.

Flemish higher education is separated between universities (5 universities, universiteiten) and university colleges (hogescholen).  The French Community organises higher education in universities (6 universities), but makes a difference between the two types of schools that make up university colleges: Hautes écoles and Écoles supérieures des Arts (a limited number of artistic institutions allowed to process selection of incoming students).

In Belgium, anybody with a qualifying diploma of secondary education is free to enrol at any institute of higher education of their choosing. The 4 major exceptions to this rule are those wanting to pursue a degree in medicine/dentistry, arts (e.g. painting, sculpture, and music performance), engineering sciences, and management sciences.

The higher education system in Belgium consists of:

• Bachelor (3 years) (180 ECTS) of bachelor’s studies (French: baccalauréat; Dutch: bacheloropleiding).
• Master system (1 or 2 years) (60 or 120 ECTS) of master’s studies.
• Manama’s (Flanders) or Masters de spécialisation (Wallonia) exist in universities and are specialisation degrees offered after a master’s degree.
• After obtaining a master’s degree, talented students can pursue research projects leading to a doctorate degree. PhDs are only awarded by universities, but these can be written at university colleges or art schools, in collaboration with and published by a university.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are available from 15-16 to 25 years in Belgian schools. Some secondary school students prefer to take a job at the earliest opportunity and opt for an apprenticeship or training that alternates between the practical aspects of a trade, whilst continuing with school.

This type of alternating secondary education and work is available from 16 years of age (15 years of age if the student has followed a second full year of secondary education) up to 25 years of age.

A training plan is drawn up with an approved training centre, which is also responsible for providing theoretical training and supporting the student’s integration into social and working life. The Brussels-Capital Region is home to various training centres, teaching in French or Dutch.

For French speakers in Brussels

This education is organised by:

1. Centre d’Education et de Formation en Alternance’, attached to a secondary school, CEFA, Alternating Training and Education Centre (FR)
2. Espace Formation PME for apprenticeships (FR).

For Dutch speakers

This type of education may be organised within the framework of

1. part-time vocational secondary education (DBSO) (NL), at a ‘Centrum voor Deeltijds Onderwijs’ (CDO, Centre for Part-time Education)
2. or through Syntra Brussel (NL). Syntra also runs a comprehensive website on the apprenticeship system.

The Flemish Community’s education portal provides comprehensive information on secondary alternating education.

The EU is encouraging and promoting apprenticeships. Europe needs more workers with practical skills and qualifications. In an apprenticeship, you get to develop the skills that employers are looking for. This will make you more employable.

Voluntary work

Especially for younger autistic people, there are a number of opportunities for voluntary work to gain work experience.  These are often open to other neurodivergent young people if you approach the organisers.

Finding your first job

There are a number of job agencies specialising in finding work for neurodivergent employees – especially autistic employees. Note that we don’t know if any of these agencies are neurodivergent-led.

• Passwerk
• LichtWerk
• Groep Gidts
• Mariasteen
• Employing people on the Autism Spectrum and hiring them out as consultants

Resources

The book Launching into Young Adulthood with ADHD… Ready or Not! is full of guidance and strategies to help preteens and teens develop the key life skills necessary for the adult world, and to identify potential vocational interests and career paths before graduation.

Autistic young adults may enjoy the book Sex, Drugs and Asperger’s Syndrome (ASD) by Luke Jackson. It’s a raw and practical guide to adulthood written from an autistic perspective.

Check out our resources page for more inspiration, or meet fellow young adults at our events.