Apprenticeships

Apprentices find a job faster, keep it for longer and are better paid than other students. A smart way to start your career!

What are apprenticeships?

In an apprenticeship, you divide your time between learning in school and training in a company. Usually, you will have a contract with the company and get paid for your work. When you finish your apprenticeship, you receive a fully recognised diploma or certification.

If you want to find out more apprenticeships in your country, please click on the flags at the bottom of this page.

What are the benefits?

You get valuable work experience that you can put on your CV, and good contacts in the industry or sector that can help you start your career. 2 in 3 people get hired immediately after they finish their apprenticeship.

Europe needs more workers with practical skills and qualifications. In an apprenticeship, you develop the skills that employers are looking for, which will make you more employable.

What is the EU doing?

The EU promotes apprenticeships through the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) and the Apprenticeship Support Service.

Through the Youth Guarantee, you can have the right to an apprenticeship. Erasmus+ can sponsor your training abroad. EURES can help you find an apprenticeship in a new country.

The European Apprentices Network (EAN) is a network of apprentices at European level, established in 2017 to make sure that the voice of young apprentices is heard in discussions related to vocational education and training (VET), in particular apprenticeships. The EAN was created in cooperation with the European Youth Forum, OBESSU, and with the support of the European Commission.

The EU places great importance to the quality of apprenticeships which is why, in 2018, it adopted a recommendation on a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships.