EU Ministers for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs agreed on a recommendation setting a European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships, based on a Commission proposal from October 2017.

Following today's agreement, Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, said: "This new European framework will be useful for the many Member States that are introducing or upgrading their apprenticeship programmes, as it will guide the policymakers to make sure that apprenticeships indeed deliver on their potential. The Framework encourages Member States to base their apprenticeship schemes on a partnership approach, involving employers, trade unions and other key stakeholders, for example vocational education and training institutions as well as youth and parent organisations. The framework also sets out that apprenticeships should be based on a written agreement, and that pedagogical support should be provided. Companies, in particular small businesses, should receive assistance. An apprentice should be paid or otherwise compensated for the work delivered, and receive opportunities to spend part of the training in another country."

In the context of the Skills Agenda for Europe, presented in June 2016, the Commission adopted a proposal for a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships, setting out key criteria for apprenticeships.

The text agreed today builds on a Commission proposal presented on 5 October 2017, which in turn was inspired by important contributions from the European Social Partners, a tripartite Opinion of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training and valuable input from members of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships.

The Framework delivers on the Communications on the New Skills Agenda for Europe and on Investing in Europe's Youth, and also contributes to the European Pillar of Social Rights.

During the third European Vocational Skills Week, which will take place in November 2018, the Commission will launch new Apprenticeship Support Services, which will help to implement the framework.