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This country report is part of the study 'Policy developments and practices of apprenticeships in selected EU Member States and world competing regions' carried out in five EU (Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland and Italy) and two non-EU countries (Australia and the USA). This study is conducted in the frame of the Pilot Project 'The Future of Manufacturing', proposed by the European Parliament and delegated to Eurofound by the European Commission (Directorate- General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs). One of the objectives of this study is to provide an analytical overview of apprenticeship systems in the selected countries and to review changes to the current systems following labour market shifts, changes in employment, career and mobility patterns and technological and structural change. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of new technologies and the need for a high skilled and adaptable workforce in manufacturing and advanced manufacturing. This research is carried out in response to the increasing interest in apprenticeships among policy makers to tackle skills mismatches but also to integrate young people into the labour market. The appeal of apprenticeships is also growing particularly in a context where new technologies are transforming work organisation and production processes across all sectors, particularly manufacturing. The findings from this research will feed the policy discussions around the role of apprenticeships for the future of manufacturing and inform policy making in the context of current or planned reform of apprenticeship systems and the necessary links to be established between education/training and industrial policies.

As there is no official definition for advanced manufacturing in Italy, this report only refers to most relevant advanced manufacturing technologies in the Italian industrial context. The emphasis in regional policies for research and innovation (under the national Smart Specialisation Strategy) is generally on advanced production processes, mechatronics for advanced production systems, forecasting methods, modelling and simulation, ICT, sustainable production technologies and advanced materials.

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Apprenticeships are well suited to provide young people with an entry point into the labor market and to supply manufacturing enterprises with skilled workers. This report further investigates apprenticeship systems at a company level, focusing on the extent to which these practices deviate from the national apprenticeship frameworks and how companies are adapting to future skill needs. It builds on the analysis of national apprenticeship systems in the 2018 Eurofound report 'Adaptation of national apprenticeship systems to advanced manufacturing' [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 134.160] and summarises the results of 14 case studies of good practice in the manufacturing sector in five EU Member States (Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland and Italy) and two countries outside Europe (Australia and the United States). Situated in different national and sector-specific environments, all case studies are characterised by the aim to adjust apprenticeship programmes and/or practices in response to challenges emerging from advanced manufacturing technologies and processes. The case studies examine a series of different issues, notably context, drivers for implementing change, impact and crucial factors for success.

Edited excerpts from publisher's website.

The case studies are as follows: Modernisation of dual apprenticeship training at ABB: Germany / Eckhard Voss; Innovative practices at Airbus Operations in Hamburg: Germany / Eckhard Voss; Talent Tracks for gifted industrial apprentices: Denmark / Soren Kristensen; Knowledge centres for robot technology and automation: Denmark / Soren Kristensen; Jules Verne Manufacturing Academy: France / Djamel Messaoudi and Nicolas Farvaque; Job and Qualification Campus in transport: France / Djamel Messaoudi and Nicolas Farvaque; 'New' apprenticeships in the light of technological change: Ireland / Jeff Bridgford; Modernisation of a designated craft apprenticeship: Ireland / Jeff Bridgford; Bosch Industry 4.0 Talent Program: Italy / Anna Teselli and Pier Paolo Angelini; Higher apprenticeship in advanced manufacturing: Italy / Anna Teselli and Pier Paolo Angelini; Siemens higher apprenticeship pilot programme: Australia / Phil Toner and Damian Oliver; Varley Group: modernising apprenticeships: Australia / Keiko Yasukawa, Phil Toner and Damian Oliver; Adjusting apprenticeship at Oberg Industries: United States / Robert I. Lerman; Mechatronics Apprenticeship Program of Festo Didactic: United States / Bryan D. Kamm and Robert I. Lerman. Show less