Publicat pe 08/10/2014

By the end of 2020, 50% of vocational education students should undertake an apprenticeship. Such a Flagship initiative on apprenticeships would boost youth employment according to EUROCHAMBRES’ Honorary President Christoph Leitl, speaking at today’s Job Summit of heads of state and employment ministers.

Mr Leitl highlighted that “Enhancing the quality and quantity of work-based learning across the EU is crucial to tackling youth unemployment and crucial to our ability to grow, innovate and prosper in a global economy. This is why a Flagship initiative on apprenticeships must be a key element of the revised Europe 2020 Strategy.”

Despite several declarations by the Council and the Commission, the provision of apprenticeship-type schemes is increasing very slowly. Just 3.7% of the EU’s youth population currently undertakes an apprenticeship and even among vocational students, only about a quarter do so.

Use Country Specific Recommendations and structural funds

A target without accompanying measures is of course pointless. This year, 19 member states received clear guidance within their Country Specific Recommendations to improve work-based learning schemes and/or apprenticeships. This Europe 2020 governance process has to be reinforced to ensure swift and effective progress. In parallel, adequate EU structural funds should be allocated to the development of robust apprenticeship schemes where required.

Strengthen intermediary organisations

The role of intermediary organisations such as Chambers should be strengthened. The examples of Austria, Germany and France show that strong intermediaries can guarantee quality apprenticeship schemes with strong involvement of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). And SME involvement is a critical factor in ensuring sufficient quality apprenticeships and in job creation.