This was announced by the ministry this afternoon.
For example, there will be a limit of 300 awards per course of one trainer per year, trainers who offer sweet trips or gifts will be dealt with and the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment can exclude courses and trainers from STAP (in the event of abuse). The allocated grants are also made public after each application period.
Lots of abuse
Under the so-called STAP scheme (Stimulation of the Labor Market Position), Dutch adults can receive a maximum of 1,000 euros from the government each year, which can be used to improve their position on the labor market through training.
Last autumn, commotion arose around the training subsidy when research by RTL News showed that the scheme was being abused. The scheme provided some entrepreneurs with golden mountains. For example, self-proclaimed Miss Bitcoin Madelon Vos earned millions with an online investment course that could be paid for by customers with STAP budget.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment announced at the end of last year that it would temporarily suspend the scheme in January in order to tighten up the rules. The stricter rules will take effect on February 28; this is also the date from which the STAP subsidy can be applied for again.
Disappoint
“As annoying as it was to have to disappoint people who wanted to start training via STAP at the beginning of this year, it has been good that we have taken the time to implement the necessary improvements to the scheme,” says the minister. Karien van Gennip in the explanation of the new rules.
According to Van Gennip, the scheme must continue to do what it is intended for. “Namely encouraging people to get started with their professional development. At the same time, abuse and improper use must be prevented.”
No lectures
From May, the training definition will also be tightened. From then on, only training with a predetermined program, to which a teacher is attached and in which the knowledge or skills acquired are tested, will be eligible for a STAP subsidy. “Lectures, for example, do not fall under this definition,” the ministry said.
The ministry has also announced that it is studying options for using the scheme to stimulate training in socially crucial sectors.
Does the STAP budget help with the shortage on the labor market? Z finds out in the video below:
