The new SLIM subsidy scheme for training comes into effect. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment published the new scheme in the Government Gazette on February 27. From March 10, employers can apply for a subsidy to train employees for a new or next job in a socially crucial sector, think care, child care or technology. Over €73 million is available through 2027.
SLIM training in brief
Purpose of the scheme: To reduce the labor shortage in socially crucial sectors by encouraging further and retraining.
Socially crucial sectors: These include health and welfare, education, childcare, engineering, green and ICT.
Sectoral development paths: The basis for the training subsidy is development paths drawn up by social partners in cooperation with the Ministry. These paths show what functions and specializations there are in a sector and what training is needed for them.
Grant applications: Employers and registered host parent agencies can apply from March 10, 2025. Partnerships of employer and employee organizations and/or R&D funds with labor market regions and provinces can apply from September 1, 2025. There is €4 million available for the first application period for employers and host parent agencies. And another € 4 million for a second period. For collectives, € 22 million has been reserved. Employers will be reimbursed part of the training costs they incur for training new or current employees. These are practical training courses where people work and learn at the same time. The percentage reimbursed to employers depends on the level of training to be followed.
Duration: Eligible activities must be completed by December 31, 2027. Chapter 3 of the SLIM scheme expires on January 1, 2028.
Conditions for training: The training must fit in with the goals of the development path (inflow, through-flow, transfer), be practically oriented, be combinable with a paid job, and fit the functions and specializations in the development path in terms of content and level. The recognized development paths can be found at www.rijksoverheid/development-paths. In the course of 2025, there will be more Development Paths for education and ICT, among others.
Applicants: Subsidy can be applied for by individual employers, registered host parenting agencies and collectives (R&D funds or partnerships of employer and employee associations).
Level of subsidy: The subsidy is 90% for training at NLQF level 1, 2 or 3 and 40% for training at NLQF level 4 or higher.
The scheme also contains measures to prevent abuse, improper use and state aid. For example, there is a requirement of market conformity in the procurement of training and a reporting requirement for grant recipients.
With this scheme, the government wants to take a concrete step in addressing the personnel shortage in crucial sectors and promote the sustainable employability of workers. In addition, there are some adjustments to the Subsidieregeling praktijkleren in de derde leerweg, including a new application period in November 2025 with a budget of €2.8 million.
You can read more about the SLIM grant program here.
Want to know more about this subsidy scheme and how we can help you? Feel free to contact us, we’d love to help!
