Apprenticeships are an effective way to help young and adult learners transit from school or unemployment to a job.
What are apprenticeships?
In an apprenticeship, you divide your time between learning in school and training in a company. Usually, you will have a contract with the company and get paid for your work. When you finish your apprenticeship, you receive a fully recognised diploma or certification.
What are the benefits?
Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in a specific field, which allows to develop skills that align with your interests and career goals. In addition, apprenticeships provide a supportive environment where you can learn from experienced mentors and adapt your skills to real-world demands.
Europe needs more workers with practical skills and qualifications. In an apprenticeship, you develop the skills that employers are looking for, which will make you more employable.
What is the EU doing?
The EU promotes apprenticeships through the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA). Through the Youth Guarantee, you can have access to an apprenticeship. Erasmus+ can sponsor your training abroad. EURES can help you find an apprenticeship in a new country.
The European Apprentices Network (EAN) is a network of apprentices at European level, established in 2017 to make sure that the voice of young apprentices is heard in discussions related to vocational education and training (VET), in particular apprenticeships. The EAN was set up by the European Youth Forum and OBESSU, with the support of the European Commission.
The EU places great importance to the quality of apprenticeships which is why it adopted a recommendation on a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships.
The 2021 report on the implementation of this framework concluded that, out of the 14 criteria, the 7 criteria on learning and working conditions are in place in the majority of Member States, while further progress is needed in implementing the 7 criteria on framework conditions. The report also indicates that the framework supports Member States in an incremental, continuous improvement of their apprenticeship schemes.
