ENSURING QUALITY AND EFFECTIVE APPRENTICESHIPS
In June 2016, the Commission launched the Skills Agenda for Europe, aiming to ensure that people develop a broad set of skills from early on in life, and throughout their education and professional career. In this context, over the past 2 years, the Commission has been rolling out 10 actions, to promote and facilitate the development of skills of people in the European Union.
EUROPEAN FRAMEWORK FOR QUALITY AND EFFECTIVE APPRENTICESHIPS
“Making vocational education and training a first choice” is one of the 10 actions of the Skills Agenda for Europe. Vocational education and training, including apprenticeships, is an excellent way to develop skills and find a job in the future.
We want to make sure that apprenticeships are of high quality and reached the desired effect. The European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships sets out 14 criteria that improve the quality and effectiveness of apprenticeships, to the benefit of learners, companies and society.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are formal vocational education and training schemes that combine company-based training with school-based education, and lead to nationally recognised qualifications. There should be an agreement defining the rights and obligations of each party, and the apprentice should be paid or compensated for work.
ACTIONS TO BOOST APPRENTICESHIPS IN EUROPE
Since 2013, the Commission has been bringing together governments, business and the world of education and training to mobilise apprenticeships, leading to 1.4 million opportunities so far under different initiatives:
