The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) is a multi-stakeholder platform aiming at:
- Strengthening the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships in Europe;
- Promoting the mobility of apprentices.
These aims are promoted through national commitments and voluntary pledges from stakeholders.
Who are the members?
In addition to national governments, members of EAfA include companies and business organisations, chambers of industry, commerce and crafts, education and training providers, youth and non-profit organisations, regional and local authorities, social partners, professional bodies and networks as well as research institutes and think tanks.
EAfA is a platform for sharing experiences and learning from best practices. It allows members to:
- Find partners;
- Promote events;
- Develop new ideas and activities;
- Provide access to the latest news and tools on apprenticeships.
The Alliance is open to all EU, EFTA and candidate countries, and stakeholders from these countries.
What are the benefits?
Apprenticeships ease the transition from education and training to work. They combine company-based training with school-based education, and lead to a nationally recognised qualification when completed.
Apprentices learn valuable workplace skills in a professional environment, which ensures a greater degree of future employability.
Companies providing apprenticeships are likely to benefit from a net profit on their investment. This can be either during the apprenticeship, or soon after by employing a fully trained worker.
Evidence suggests that countries with a strong vocational education and training (VET) and apprenticeship system have lower levels of youth unemployment. Often there is a contractual relationship between the employer and the apprentice, with the apprentice being paid for their work.
The EAfA promotes youth employment and supports the aim of the Youth Guarantee, while reducing the disparity between skills supply and demand on the labour market.