Pledges: mobilising support for apprenticeships 

The plan details various measures aimed at enhancing the awareness of apprenticeships and the reach of EAfA. At the core of the action plan is the mobilisation of EAfA members, the driving force behind the Alliance. After streamlining the pledge renewals process in 2023, this year members, and especially those who joined the Alliance before 2022, will be encouraged to refresh and strengthen their engagement with EAfA. 

To attract new pledgers, EAfA will ask its members to promote the Alliance within their networks using easily shareable materials such as presentations, infographics and factsheets.  Building on the success of targeted campaigns in 2022 and 2023, EAfA will focus on specific stakeholder groups and sectors to engage prospective new members with the aim of diversifying and further enriching the membership base. 

The EAfA annual member survey in September 2024 will play a major role in gauging members’ progress and gathering their feedback on EAfA activities. 

Finally, the plan underscores the importance of assisting EAfA member countries and potential partner countries in renewing their commitment to, or joining EAfA, emphasising the expansion of the Alliance’s global footprint. 

Networking: connecting stakeholders for progress 

In-person events remain a cornerstone of the networking opportunities to be created by EAfA in 2024. 

The high-level conference in Brussels taking place in June will focus on apprenticeships as a powerful tool to unleash untapped potential, address labour shortages and activate specific demographic groups. Two additional meetings will follow the conference back-to-back: the EAfA Members’ Get-Together event and the European Apprentices Network (EAN) member meeting. 

The ninth annual EAfA–ETF seminar in autumn 2024 will provide a platform for learning and networking among candidate countries, EAfA partner countries and Alliance members. 

In-person EAfA networking activities are further completed by the online networking opportunities offered by the EAfA LinkedIn group and the online EAfA Communities, which will continue to serve as web-based thematic hubs for members to exchange knowledge and best practices. EAfA will also launch a new call for EAfA communities allowing its members to take the lead and create new communities to discuss and work with other EAfA members on topics and themes they care about. 

Knowledge sharing: empowering through information 

EAfA’s longstanding commitment to knowledge sharing is evident through the array of online activities planned for 2024. 

Learning tools, including factsheets, toolkits and webinars, will provide valuable insights into a variety of topics such as transversal skills, support to small and medium-sized enterprises for apprenticeships, the integration of digital skills in apprenticeships, and apprenticeships in the tourism and hospitality sector. 

The EAfA website will persist featuring news articles and stakeholder pieces, while the EAfA online library’s collection of resources will continue to expand providing access to over 600 resources linked to apprenticeships. Regular newsletters, social media engagement and a substantial online presence will further contribute to EAfA's commitment to knowledge sharing with regards to all EAfA objectives and priorities. 

You can download the action plan from the ‘Related documents’ section below.