News
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05/08/2021
The six priorities of the renewed EAfA
In July 2021, we mark one year since Commissioner Nicolas Schmit launched the renewed European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA), giving new impetus to the EU commitment towards apprenticeships and setting out six ambitious priorities.
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24/06/2021
Live discussion: Gender equality in apprenticeships − how can we close the gap in participation?
On 24 June, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) held the live discussion ‘Gender equality in apprenticeships: How can we close the gap in participation?’.
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10/06/2021
Webinar: Going digital − simulations and gaming in apprenticeships
On 10 June, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) held the webinar ‘Going digital − simulations and gaming in apprenticeships’. The webinar fell under priority one of the renewed EAfA, in particular the action Encouraging new pledges to incorporate the acquisition of skills for the green transition and the development of robust digital competences in apprenticeships.
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03/06/2021
High-level conference: The role of regions and cities in delivering high-quality apprenticeships for all
On 3 and 4 June, the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) held the high-level conference ‘The role of regions and cities in delivering high-quality apprenticeships for all’. The event brought together more than 35 speakers to discuss how apprenticeships can be an instrument of social inclusion, what the main barriers are, as well as good practices. The conference featured keynote speeches by Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and Anne Karjalainen, Chair of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC).
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25/05/2021
EAfA publishes the results of its recent Apprenticeships Coalition Survey
Between 1 February 2021 and 3 March 2021, EAfA conducted a survey to map apprenticeship coalitions/alliances, understand their main characteristics (e.g. composition, coordination structure, etc.) and identify key challenges to their development.
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28/04/2021
Live discussion: How can employers be encouraged to establish apprenticeships?
On 28 April, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) held the live discussion ‘How can employers be encouraged to establish apprenticeships? Understanding the barriers to implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises’. The live discussion was chaired by Dr Jeff Bridgford, Visiting Senior Research Fellow in the School of Education, Communication and Society, King’s College London, and panellists shared good practice examples from Austria, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain.
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28/04/2021
Sixth online training: Going digital in apprenticeships
The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) has launched a new online training module on the importance of digitalisation in apprenticeships. This is the sixth in a series of training modules designed to provide insight into apprenticeship systems in the EU.
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21/04/2021
Webinar: Inter-company training centres and Centres of Vocational Excellence
On 21 April, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) organised the webinar ‘Inter-company training centres and Centres of Vocational Excellence’. The webinar falls under priority 2 of the renewed EAfA Action Plan 2020−2021 ‘Incentivising support to SMEs for providing a stable supply of quality and effective apprenticeships’ and corresponds to the action ‘Promoting cooperation in joint training centres’.
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23/03/2021
Online event: The role of regions and cities in supporting apprenticeships, upskilling and reskilling in the health sector
On 23 March, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) and the Committee of the Regions (CoR) held the online event ‘The role of regions and cities in supporting apprenticeships, upskilling and reskilling in the health sector’. This was the final event in a series of three roadmap events leading to a high-level conference on apprenticeships on 3 and 4 June. The discussion explored local and regional initiatives for training, upskilling and reskilling health workers, taking into account the future skill needs of the sector.
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16/03/2021
High-level conference: Quality and effective apprenticeships and international labour standards on apprenticeships
On 15 and 16 March, the European Commission and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a joint high-level conference to celebrate three years of the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships (EFQEA). The conference served as an occasion to assess the current state of play for both the EU and ILO in setting quality standards for apprenticeships. It examined national apprenticeship reforms in countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, and explored key priorities of the renewed EAfA, including how to foster apprenticeship coalitions and strengthen social dialogue. The event featured keynote speeches by Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and the ILO’s Director General Guy Ryder.