The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) presents the EAfA Podcast, a four-episode series that explores themes and topics related to EAfA priorities and key objectives:

• supply,
• quality,
• image, and
• mobility.

European Alliance for Apprenticeships

The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) unites governments and key stakeholders with the aim of strengthening the quality, supply and overall image of apprenticeships across Europe, while also promoting the mobility of apprentices. These aims are promoted through national commitments and voluntary pledges from stakeholders.

In July 2020, the European Commission launched the renewed EAfA as part of the Youth Employment Support Package. The reinforced alliance calls for new commitments on digital and green apprenticeships, focusing on the economic sectors that will be at the front line of the transition to a climate-neutral Europe.

If you wish to know more, visit the website.

The EAfA Podcast

The EAfA Podcast is by now composed of 3 episodes and available for free on Spotify.

1. Episode 1 | Boosting attractiveness of apprenticeship | How can the overall image and attractiveness of apprenticeships be enhanced across Europe? That’s the focus of our second episode, which explores what can be done to improve the image of apprenticeships, including targeted measures through information-provision, promotional activities, and role models.
2. Episode 2 | Objectives | Ana explains the objectives behind the EAfA podcast and what you can expect from the four-episode series
3. Episode 3 | Apprenticeship – an effective pathway to career success | The year 2022 marks the European Year of Youth! How apprenticeships become an effective pathway to career success for young people? In this episode, the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, joins us to explain the idea behind the European Year of Youth and how the EU is supporting Member States in tackling youth unemployment. The Commissioner also discusses the benefits of apprenticeships and how key actors, including apprentices, play a role in providing quality and effective apprenticeships across the EU.

L'articolo European Alliance for Apprenticeships | EAfA Podcast proviene da Youth Networks.

In the context of the pandemic, it is not just learning modalities, that changed drastically due to lockdown. It is the role itself of schools and teachers which faced a real challenge. With lockdowns all over Europe, vocational education and training (VET) schools had to convert physical classrooms and work-based learning spaces into digital learning environments overnight. In this context, the virtual class became a place for the community. With that, other issues arise. For example, keeping the attention, boost the motivation and good spirit of students.

Vocational Education and Training

The Erasmus+ Programme delivered almost €3 billion to VET over the period 2014-2020. Every year, around 130,000 VET learners and 20,000 VET staff benefit from Erasmus+ mobility opportunities. In addition, almost 500 projects each year are financed under the Erasmus+ Strategic partnerships.

Vocational education and training responds to the needs of the economy, but also provides learners with skills important for personal development and active citizenship. It can boost enterprise performance, competitiveness, research and innovation and is a central aspect of successful employment and social policy.

There can be initial or continuing VET.

Initial VET (I-VET)

Is usually carried out at upper secondary level before students begin working life. It takes place either in a school-based environment (mainly in the classroom) or in a work-based setting, such as training centres and companies. This varies from country to country, depending on national education and training systems, and economic structures.

Continuing VET (C-VET)

Takes place after initial education and training, or after beginning working life. It aims to upgrade knowledge, help citizens to acquire new skills, retrain and further their personal and professional development. It is largely work-based with the majority of learning taking place in a workplace.

Goals of EU member states

Among the deliverables set by European Institutions and Member States, there is:

• strengthen key competences in Vocational Education and Training curricula and provide more effective opportunities to acquire or develop those skills;
• introduce systematic approaches to, and opportunities for, initial and continuous professional development for VET teachers, trainers and mentors in both school- and work-based settings;
• enhance access to Vocational Education and Training and qualifications for all through more flexible and permeable systems.

A Webinar on VET

On January 28th 2021, 10-11AM (CET), a Webinar on VET in times of pandemics will take place. The webinar focuses on local experiences, aiming at finding ways to prevent early school leaving during the pandemic.

Register for the webinar and join the discussion! A useful toolkit of know-how will be released too.

Read also

TOOL: Remembrance for Peace

How To: ICT and Volunteers’ Activities

L'articolo How To: Vocational Training (VET) in Pandemics proviene da Youth Networks.

The projects cover the following action:

• Key Action 3: Support for policy reform
• Networks and Partnerships of Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers

Have a look at the list of the beneficiaries here.

L'articolo Selection results – Networks and partnerships of VET providers EACEA/37/2018 proviene da Youth Networks.

The projects cover the following action:

• Erasmus+
• Key Action 3: Support for policy reforms
• Initiatives for policy innovation

Have a look at the list of the beneficiaries here.

L'articolo Selection results – Forward Looking Cooperation Projects EACEA36/2018 proviene da Youth Networks.