The next steps for apprenticeship

In a context of considerable interest in apprenticeship in recent years, [the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training] Cedefop and the OECD decided to explore its future from the perspective of a number of megatrends, including sociodemographic changes, the accelerated adoption of emerging technologies and new forms of work organisation. They also considered how these trends have affected, and will continue to affect, the design and delivery of apprenticeship in European and OECD countries. The combination of the emerging economic crisis as an aftermath of the ...  [+] Show more

In a context of considerable interest in apprenticeship in recent years, [the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training] Cedefop and the OECD decided to explore its future from the perspective of a number of megatrends, including sociodemographic changes, the accelerated adoption of emerging technologies and new forms of work organisation. They also considered how these trends have affected, and will continue to affect, the design and delivery of apprenticeship in European and OECD countries. The combination of the emerging economic crisis as an aftermath of the [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 pandemic, together with long-term structural trends affecting global economies, will entail a profound transformation of the world of work and require effective policy responses in the years to come.

This publication provides insights from 16 papers by researchers from Europe, Australia and the United States; nine were presented and discussed among policy-makers, practitioners and researchers during the joint Cedefop-OECD symposium on the future of apprenticeship held in October 2019 in Paris [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 145.202]. Evidence and analysis in these papers will help inform political decisions shaping the future of apprenticeship. The papers are as follows: Introduction / Anthony Mann and Antonio Ranieri (pages 12-21); The future of apprenticeships in Europe: three scenarios / Philipp Grollman and Jorg Markowitsch (pages 22-31); Apprenticeship training in Sweden / Jonas Olofsson and Alexandru Panican (pages 32-38); Shaping the relationship between vocational and academic education: socioeconomic trends and their implications for the future of apprenticeships / Dieter Euler (pages 39-49); The development and implementation of a graduate apprenticeship programme: meeting the education and skills needs of engineering employers, employees, and the nation / Stewart McKinlay (pages 50-58); Getting ready for new apprenticeship arrangements for a new world of work / Erica Smith (pages 59-68) [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 143.414]; Shared apprenticeships: rotation of workplaces and its potential benefits for companies and apprentices / Ditte Kimps, Lieve Lembrechts, Jonas van Riel and Karlien Winnelinckx (pages 69-80); Innovative learning culture in apprenticeships: the Swiss telecommunication industry / Antje Barabasch and Anna Keller (pages 81-93); Digitalisation of apprenticeship in Germany: status quo and support needs of companies / Regina Flake and David Meinhard (pages 94-105); Understanding creativity as an occupation-specific competence / Antje Barabasch and Silke Fischer (pages 106-114); Tensions and innovations in apprenticeships in England: the impact on learning in 'non-traditional' organisational settings / Eleanor Andressen (pages 115-122); Going for attractiveness and excellence: a cross-country review of excellence in apprenticeship in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland / Isabelle Le Mouillour, Claudia Lippuner, Torben Schuster and Franz Gramlinger (pages 123-131); The importance of GPA requirements for VET and low-income students / Jesper Eriksen and Shaun Dougherty (pages 132-143); Are apprenticeship standards in England supporting expert vocational practice? / Jim Hordern (pages 144-151); The Anglo-Saxon model: policy twists and turns along the road to creating a demand-led apprenticeship system in England / Terence Hogarth and Lynn Gambin (pages 152-161); Including refugees in the labour market: the Swiss approach / Antje Barabasch, Ursula Scharnhorst and Seraina Leumann (pages 162-171); Apprenticeship as a top tier destination: how can we make apprenticeships more attractive to learners? / Elnaz Kashefpakdel and Prue Huddleston (pages 172-181).

Edited excerpts from publication.