On 26 and 27 June 2023, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) held a High-level Event in the context of the European Year of Skills. The event brought together a wide range of EAfA members and stakeholders from all over Europe, including EU social partners, international organisations, and high-level representatives from the European Commission. Below are the highlights from one of the event’s panel discussions, which focused on apprenticeships as a means to secure skilled workers. You can find the full report covering the event at the bottom of the article.

© Natali Afsar

The panellists discussed the benefits of apprenticeships for both employers and apprentices, as well as the challenges that remain to be addressed to increase the availability of apprenticeships.

Adam Skokan, Event Director of the Association of Virtual and Augmented Reality (AVRAR), highlighted the value of apprenticeships as a key tool for employers to upskill and reskill their workforce, particularly in relation to digital skills. As discussed by Mr Skokan, while the use of innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR) can be a helpful means to support apprentices in developing digital skills, it needs to be complemented with a strong support system for apprentices.

Frédérique Naulette, Senior HRBP & Youth Lead at Nestlé, discussed the company's commitment to supporting apprenticeships. She stressed their importance for developing both technical and soft skills, which are essential for employees. Ms Naulette also highlighted the key role played by tutors and mentors within apprenticeship programmes in transferring knowledge and skills to apprentices.

Dr Andrey Girenko, Consultant at the European Centre of Vocational Excellence for Microelectronics, drew attention to the state of the European microelectronics sector, which is particularly lagging behind in terms of production capacity and technological advancements. The recent European Chips Act has highlighted the need for developing new skills and competencies within the sector, which could be acquired through apprenticeships.

Kai Reinartz, Member of the Federal Youth Committee at DGB Youth, Germany, concluded the session by speaking about the German apprenticeship system, which is rooted in the collaboration between social partners, trade unions and the Ministry of Education. He noted that a main challenge is the swift introduction of new approaches and topics into apprenticeship programmes.

Despite the existing challenges, the panellists all agreed that apprenticeships remain a promising way to address the current skills shortages in Europe. The diverse experiences shared underscored the importance of industry collaboration, innovative training methods, mentorship, and a strong commitment to apprentices' well-being as integral components of successful apprenticeship programmes.

Moreover, the commitment to gender equality and migrant integration alongside the need for policy reforms emerged as crucial factors in securing skilled workers for the future.

You can download the full report from the Related documents section below.