Strengthen your organization with language training: Tips for employers
Finding and maintaining qualified staff remains a challenge for Belgian employers. With 251 jobs in short supply in 2025, ten more than last year, the pressure is greater than ever. Think of jobs like electricians, nurses or administrative staff — all jobs that require good language skills. However, many organizations miss out on talent because allophone candidates do not speak Dutch well enough. In this article, find out why language training is not just a bonus, but an essential investment that strengthens your business.
Many Belgian employers have difficulty finding employees with the required technical skills, but with a sufficient level in Dutch to be immediately operational. Language barriers force potentially skilled workers to give up prematurely or prevent them from fully exploiting their skills. By investing in language training, you enable your employees to integrate more quickly and fully develop their talents within your organization.
Why invest in language training?
Good communication is the key to a successful organization. Employees who are fluent in Dutch better understand instructions, work more efficiently and make fewer mistakes. This enhances productivity while fostering seamless collaboration and a positive work environment. Ultimately, this strengthens employee engagement, increases job satisfaction, and reduces employee turnover. In short, offering language training is not a luxury, but a necessity for your business.
How to make language training effective in your business?
- Make language training mandatory for new employees
By systematically offering language training to new employees who do not have a sufficient command of Dutch, you immediately demonstrate the importance of language skills within your organization. This promotes equality and contributes to a positive work climate. Also communicate clearly about the personal benefits that employees can derive from it, such as personal development and career development opportunities.
Tip: Organize language training during work hours to eliminate practical barriers such as child care or transportation issues. This encourages participation and strengthens motivation.
- Provide tailor-made language training
Each employee and function has specific needs. For example, technicians need to learn technical terms related to their job, while sales staff need to focus on customer-facing communication. By tailoring language training to the specific needs of each position, you maximize the effectiveness of your investment.
Tip: Identify in advance the (language) skills required for each job so that the training offered matches perfectly the requirements of daily work.
- Integrating language training into daily practice
Learning a language is most effective when it is part of daily routine. Make language training accessible, informal and above all enjoyable. Encourage your employees to speak Dutch in the workplace and regularly organize short fun sessions to practice. Designate “language buddies” internally, so that colleagues can move forward in a relaxed and natural setting.
Tip: Create a safe and positive learning environment where errors are allowed and constructive feedback is promoted. This will help your employees progress faster.
- Monitor progress and adjust as needed
Regular interim assessments give you greater visibility into the effectiveness of language training. Provide your employees with constructive and concrete feedback to increase their motivation and commitment. This will make them feel heard and valued within the organization.
Tip: Celebrate success to encourage employees to continue learning and build motivation.
Text: Josefien De Bock
