Project Number: 2022-1EL01-KA220-VET-000088384
In this new blog article, we would like to answer one of the first questions to can come to your mind while talking about apprenticeship: why?
Apprenticeship offers a variant to conventional vocational training that combines classes at the educational center with training in companies. The objective is for the student to be able to combine work with theoretical training.
The first and major benefit for the student will be the on the job learning aspect of apprenticeship. During this period, the VET student will encounter real day-to-day problems faced in a company and where they have to put into practice everything learned in the classroom.
Apprenticeship supports transfer of knowledge based on ground needs observed in companies. The practical aspect is a great motivator for students and supports the development of new and adapted skills.
Apprenticeship promotes the European and international mobility of students and the acquisition of foreign languages.
In a context of still high youth unemployment rates, apprenticeship offers great opportunities of placement in the labour market: most companies that have a student who is taking this modality of VET are to incorporate this student into their staff in the future. Thus, a majority of apprenticeship contracts are aimed to become employment contract after the apprenticeship period end.
Finally, let’s note that the benefits are not only for the learners in this system. It also benefit the companies, because they can attract talent and recruit qualified youth to work with them. And it benefits the educational centers, who reinforce their relation with companies and get a better knowledge of the market needs, adapt their offer and become a reference for future VET students.
OECD reports that apprenticeship policies are diverse depending on countries. While in some countries, it is “a well-established route to skilled employment, elsewhere apprenticeship is uncommon with employers favouring other means of labour training and upskilling.” Nowadays in Europe, all countries has implemented apprenticeship programme, using different scheme and implementation methods. If you are interest in this topic, we recommend you to visit CEDEFOP’s website where they are all summarised.
