European Alliance for Apprenticeships Dana BACHMANN Head of Unit DG DGVT Meeting, Dublin 21-22 May 2013
Context 26.5 million unemployed, out of which 5.7 million young people lowest rates DE and AU (both 7.6 %), NL (10.5 %) Highest rates in EL(59.1 % in January 2013), ES (55.9 %), IT (38.4 %) and PT (38.3 %) 1.85 million job vacancies
EU Policy context Bruges Communiqué (December 2010) Governments, social partners and VET providers should make the necessary arrangements to maximise work-based learning, including apprenticeships, in order to contribute to increasing the number of apprentices in Europe by 2012.
EU Policy context The Youth Opportunities Initiative (December 2011) The European Council on 30 January 2012 agreed: Increase the number of apprenticeships European semester and Country Specific Recommendations (July 2012): 16 of these CSR are related to VET and the need for reform "Rethinking " package (20 November 2012) Youth Employment package (5 December 2012) Youth Employment Initiative (European Council of 7-8 February 2013
European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) Commission Business Business Social Partners Member States
EAfA's Objectives Improve quality and supply of apprenticeships Change mind-sets towards apprenticeship-type learning
Pillar I - Improvement of apprenticeships - targeted knowledge transfer Partnerships national level - Helpdesk for tailor-made advice services on apprenticeship and traineeship schemes: www.ec.europa.eu/social/youthtraining bilateral and European level capacity building, technical cooperation Policy reform: Peer learning/review, EAfA thematic working group under OMC process User-friendly toolbox NA Thematic networking on outcomes of LdV/ERA projects for dissemination of good practice
Pillar II - spotlight on the benefits Costs and benefits of apprenticeships Studies on return of investment of apprenticeships Championing the EAfA by key organisations and ambassadors
World/Euro skills competitions VET Excellence Award
Pillar III - Smart use of EU programmes European Social Fund ESF Regulation's investment priorities 2014-2020 : labour market integration of NEETs, increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes focus: Reference to smooth school-work transition through apprenticeships Youth Employment Initiative Support of the Alliance's objectives
Erasmus for All ambitions Increase mobility for VET apprentices VET staff training Strategic Partnerships Sector Skills Alliances (SSA) Policy reform support
Survey on WBL and apprenticeships preliminary results 14 replies* by 14 May Learning needs exceed support offers Majority reported both support offers and learning needs *AT, CY, CZ, DE/Laender, DK, ES, FI, GR, IT, NO, PT, RO, SK
Survey: 8 top ranked support offers engaging social partners and other key actors in defining and delivering skills 5 appropriate national governance and regulatory frameworks 4 enhancing company school cooperation 4 career guidance and support for students to find placements 3 developing curricula 3 defining standards and learning outcomes 3 incentives for companies to offer apprenticeships 2 support for SMEs which train apprentices 2
Survey: 8 top ranked learning needs incentives for companies to offer apprenticeships 10 support for SMEs which train apprentices 9 career guidance and support for students to find placements 7 improving the image of apprenticeships 6 quality assurance in apprenticeships 6 promoting apprenticeships in times of economic crisis 5 appropriate national governance and regulatory frameworks 4 enhancing company school cooperation 4
Survey: Observations 3 countries put high emphasis on "appropriate national governance and regulatory frameworks" 4 countries stress the usefulness of in-depth bilateral exchange At least one offer for every learning need Exceptions: "profile and qualifications of in-company trainers", "levelling apprenticeship degrees in the EQF/NQF" Training of teachers and trainers missing from the topic list
Questions for discussion Concept for the Alliance Proposed TWG: Interest to join Mandate Deliverables Working methods Duration
Thank you for your attention!