An international conference gathering some 100 researchers and analysts worldwide will discuss apprenticeship and work-based learning are being re-energised as valuable routes of vocational education and training in a number of countries across the globe and the role of apprenticeship in contributing to successful school-to-work transitions.

Despite some constraints for the development of apprenticeship and work-based learning in a number of European Training Foundation partner countries - such as the small size of some national initial vocational education and training systems, the reality of wage fixation systems and competition from cheap labour - current developments and contextual factors seem to favour school-to-work transition in the future.

Both apprenticeship and other forms of work-based learning require a strong involvement and active role of the economy, private sector and social partners in vocational education and training; they could take off some of the rising pressure which is put on public policy due to high population growth, the flow into the labour market of large numbers of young people and the increasing difficulties and bottlenecks of public financing for education and training.

A 2009 ETF analysis of work-based learning programmes for young people in ten Mediterranean countries revealed that in addition to traditional informal arrangements almost 30 formal work-based learning schemes are in place in the region. Some countries have introduced clear policy goals to increase the number of participation in apprenticeships and to tap potential for such kind of learning. 

Among the key challenges that face apprenticeship and other work-based learning programmes in the Mediterranean region were identified the balancing of growth and quality improvement; reconciling social and economic needs; strengthening links to the labour market and targeting at higher-skilled areas of the economy that lead to attractive work; and improving governance systems, including the regulatory environment and financing systems.

Further research and analysis in apprenticeship and work-based learning is needed in order to detect demand, opportunities as well as constraints of local contexts and to better identify and assess options and the feasibility of work-based learning solutions. Strengthening the co-operation at research and international levels – as demonstrated by this International Conference and the International Network on Innovative Apprenticeships - is an important way forward towards achieving this goal and towards improved links between research and policy-making.

The event, taking in place at the ETF in Turin on 17-18 September is organised by the International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP) in co-operation with the ETF, the European Research Network in Vocational Education and Training (VETNET) and the TVET Research Group (I:BB) of the University of Bremen.

Prior to the conference a publication will be available containing contributions of more than 80 international experts. During the conference some 50 presentations will be held among them by researchers from Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, China, India, South Africa and Malaysia, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Serbia, Croatia, Kosovo, Russia, Moldowa, Ukraine and Turkey.