Apprenticeships
Quality apprenticeships based on a robust regulatory framework and social dialogue can contribute to lowering youth unemployment rates, reducing skills mismatch and enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises. Historically, apprenticeships have been considered primarily as a means of facilitating the school-to-work transition for young people. However, in the context of a fast changing world of work, the apprenticeship model is empowering both youth and older workers to acquire new skills, reskill and upskill throughout their working lives.
A new Recommendation on Quality Apprenticeships was adopted during the 111th International Labour Conference. It is designed to support "opportunities for people of all ages to skill, reskill and upskill continuously" in rapidly changing labour markets.
Key features of the Recommendation:
Acquiring competencies
Competencies in line with labour market needs and learners’ aspirations
Rights and protections
Spells out rights and protections for apprentices
Monitoring and evaluation
of frameworks, systems, policies and programmes for quality apprenticeships
Equality and diversity
promotes equality, diversity and social inclusion in apprenticeships
News and articles
Global Skills Forum Addresses Critical Challenges and Opportunities in Skills Development
Challenges and opportunities of school to work transition
Key resources
New Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation
The ILO strategy on skills and lifelong learning 2030
ILO Toolkit for Quality Apprenticeships: Guide for Policymakers
ILO Toolkit for Quality Apprenticeships: Guide for Practitioners
Publications
Skills development
Skills Matter!
Policy brief
Strengthening apprenticeships for transitions to formality
ILO Caribbean NewsLink September 2023
Upgrading apprenticeship systems in the informal economy
Millions of young people in the developing world acquire skills through apprenticeships in the informal economy and in many countries, greatly outnumber youth acquiring skills through formal technical and vocational education and training. A new ILO labour standard on quality apprenticeships has focused attention on the need to upgrade training and learning to strengthen apprenticeships in the informal economy.
Multimedia
Podcast
How can we close the skills gap? Quality apprenticeships and the future of work
Listen to this podcast on quality apprenticeships featuring Martin Henry, Research, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of Education International, and Kathryn Rowan, Executive Director of GAN, the Global Apprenticeship Network.
Video
Quality apprenticeships and the future of work
Quality apprenticeships are proven to: Improve employability of apprentices; boost productivity; and, tackle skills mismatches.
Video
ILO Toolkit on Apprenticeships - Vol. 2
The toolkit offers comprehensive, practical guidance to developing and implementing apprenticeship programmes. It highlights recent trends and innovations in apprenticeships.
Projects
Quality Apprenticeship and Lifelong Learning in China – Phase 2
Contact us
Related topic
Skills and Lifelong Learning