More and more Palestinian students from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) follow part of their training in the private sector. In recent years this practice is rapidly gaining in popularity, as this hands-on training period provides them with skills that are more relevant for the private sector than when they are only trained inside their training centre or school and hence increases significantly the chances of TVET graduates to find a job.

However, these traineeships in the private sector or work-based learning (WBL) pose new legal challenges: What are the rights of the trainees? Who is responsible in case of an accident in the workplace? Should the trainee sign an employment contract? Should enterprises who employ trainees get any incentives like a tax reduction? Should trainees be paid or receive pocket money?

In order to tackle these and other related legal issues, the Belgian Development Agency hired a legal company to support the development of a legal framework for work-based learning practices. This research was done in close cooperation with the TVET stakeholders and the International Labor Organization (ILO). 

On the 9th of January 2017, a final workshop was held to present the results of the legal study and to discuss the legislative framework for work-based learning in Palestine with the concerned stakeholders at the central and local level. Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Ministry of Labour and the Private Sector as well as principals of TVET institutions and company owners debated jointly the draft proposal and formulated their remarks and propositions.

Detailed discussion in the workshop resulted in some observations which will be integrated  in the final report of the legal expert. Among others:

• Give people with special needs priority in legal matters
  
• Agree on a common definition of a trainee
• Foresee compensation for unfair dismissal of the trainee
• Identify the party in charge of the trainee’s insurance
  

The adapted proposal for a WBL legal framework will be presented to both ministries for further discussion and final adoption by the Palestinian Authority.