Belgium's vocational education and training (VET) was examined. The following topics were considered: (1) the VET environment (political and administrative structures; the economy; the labor force; unemployment); (2) Belgium's educational system (funding principles; the structure and objectives of basic, secondary, and higher education); (3) the history of VET in Belgium, initial vocational training (IVT), and continuing vocational training (CVT); (4) the legal and legislative framework and financing; (5) qualitative aspects (certification and qualification; training of trainers; and vocational guidance); and (6) trends and perspectives. The analysis established that Belgium's public authorities have generally played a leading role in VET, especially in IVT. Like other European countries, Belgium is facing the problem of adapting education to current realities. Attempts are therefore being made to provide students with education that is general enough to keep abreast of current technologies but specific enough for them to be integrated into enterprises. It was concluded that all VET stakeholders, including enterprises, must place all kinds of IVT and CVT on a practical footing and devote more attention to formulation and application of uniform quality criteria. (Sixty-eight tables/figures are included. The following items are appended: list of acronyms and abbreviations; addresses of 14 main organizations; a 77-item bibliography; and a glossary.) (MN)