In the field of training for companies, there is often confusion between subsidised training courses and bonified training courses. Although both concepts are related to training support schemes, they are not the same and do not work in the same way.
In this post we explain clearly and practically:
- The difference between subsidies and bonification
- What the Fundae training credit is
- What your company can do with this credit
- How AAprendre idiomes can help you as a Fundae Training Organising Entity
All of this applies both to language courses for companies and to any other type of professional training.
What are subsidised training courses?
Subsidised training courses are training actions funded directly by a public administration. They are aimed at specific groups and usually follow very specific conditions.
Key characteristics of subsidised training courses
- 100% funded by a specific subsidy
- No cost for the participant or the company
- Limited number of places
- Fixed content, duration and schedule
- Usually aimed at specific groups (unemployed people, freelancers, workers in certain sectors, etc.)
With this type of training, companies usually cannot freely decide which course to take or when to take it, as it depends on specific calls.
What are bonified training courses?
Bonified training courses are part of the Company Training Programme, managed by Fundae (State Foundation for Employment Training).
In this case, it is not a direct subsidy, but rather a bonification applied to Social Security contributions.
Key characteristics of bonified training courses
- The company initially pays for the training
- The cost is later recovered through a Social Security bonification
- Each company has its own annual training credit
- Training is fully flexible and tailor-made
- Applies to employees in active employment
This system allows companies to decide:
- What training they need
- When to deliver it
- How to adapt it to their real business activity
👉 You can find more details in our post on how to bonify a training course.
Key differences between subsidised and bonified training courses
| Subsidised courses | Bonified courses |
|---|---|
| Funded by public subsidies | Funded through the company’s training credit |
| Free of charge | Paid first, then bonified |
| Limited places | No internal participant limits |
| Fixed training programmes | Tailor-made training |
| Specific public calls | Available all year round |
| Aimed at specific groups | Aimed at company employees |
What is the Fundae training credit?
All companies that contribute to vocational training are entitled to an annual training credit, calculated based on:
- Contributions made in the previous year
- The size of the company
This credit:
- Expires each year if it is not used or claimed within the established deadlines
- Can be used for language courses, technical training, professional skills, prevention, digitalisation and more
Many companies lose their training credit simply due to lack of information.
👉 On our training for companies page, we explain how to check your available training credit.
What type of training can be bonified?
Using the Fundae training credit, companies can bonify:
- Language courses for companies (English, French, German, etc.)
- Digital skills training
- Technical and sector-specific courses
- Soft skills training
- On-site, online or blended learning
The key requirement is that the training is related to the company’s activity and improves employees’ professional skills.
What role does AAprendre idiomes play as a Fundae Training Organising Entity?
At AAprendre idiomes, we act as a Fundae Training Organising Entity, which means that we:
- Manage the entire administrative process for bonification
- Handle all communications with Fundae
- Ensure that training complies with current regulations
- Advise companies on how to make the most of their training credit
This way, your company only needs to focus on training its team.
👉 Discover all the details in our training for companies section.
Bonified language courses: one of the most in-demand options
Bonified language courses are one of the most popular training options for companies because they:
- Improve competitiveness
- Adapt to the real level of employees
- Can be delivered individually or in groups
- Can be partially or fully bonified depending on the available credit
At AAprendre idiomes, we design tailor-made language training plans, fully aligned with Fundae requirements.
Frequently asked questions about subsidised and bonified training courses
Are bonified training courses free?
Not exactly. The company pays for the training first and later recovers all or part of the cost through a Social Security bonification, provided it has sufficient training credit.
Do all companies have a training credit?
Yes. All companies that contribute to vocational training have an annual training credit, regardless of their size.
Can an employee ask the company for language training at an academy?
Yes. An employee can request language training at an academy as long as it is related to their professional activity. The company can contract the training and bonify it through Fundae, using its annual training credit.
Can the training credit be accumulated from one year to the next?
Yes. The training credit can be accumulated for a limited period of time, provided that this is communicated to Fundae within the established deadlines. Otherwise, it is lost.
Can language courses be bonified?
Yes. Language courses for companies are fully bonifiable as long as they are related to the professional activity of employees.
Is it mandatory to manage bonification through a Training Organising Entity?
No, it is not mandatory. However, working with a Fundae Training Organising Entity like AAprendre idiomes ensures that the entire process is carried out correctly and without risks for the company.
Conclusion: bonification and subsidies are not the same
In summary:
- Subsidised training courses depend on specific public calls
- Bonified training courses depend on your company’s training credit
- Bonification offers flexibility, customisation and control
If you want to know how much training credit you have, what training you can bonify, or how to get started, we will be happy to help.
👉 Contact us or visit our pages on bonified training for companies and how to bonify Fundae courses
- Come and see us at C. Major, 40-42, entl. C de Terrassa
- Call us at 937 89 52 15 o al 636 46 56 97
- Send a Whatsapp message to 636 46 56 97
- Email us at info@aaprendre.com